The Arizona Diamondbacks made a splash by trading first baseman Josh Naylor to the Seattle Mariners on Thursday, sparking uncertainty about the team’s intentions for the rest of the season. General manager Mike Hazen said “any outcome is on the table,” leaving room for possibility that the team could make more moves before next Thursday’s trade deadline.
Hazen stated that the Diamondbacks have received a lot of offers since their loss to Houston dropped them back to 50-53 record, and he remains open-minded about different scenarios. The team has already acquired two pitching prospects from Seattle: 25-year-old Brandyn Garcia and 21-year-old Ashton Izzi.
The market for controllable players is currently favorable for the Diamondbacks, with several highly touted third basemen available, including Eugenio Suarez. However, the Yankees’ recent trade for Ryan McMahon may take him out of the picture.
Starting pitchers Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen could also be on the move, but Hazen emphasized that he wants to see his team continue to play well and compete for wins. The general manager is willing to make trades for controllable players who can help build a major league team.
The Diamondbacks have six games left before next Thursday’s deadline and are in a seller’s market, with many teams competing for playoff spots. Hazen pointed out that the opportunity to qualify players for draft picks could be an important factor in his decision-making.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Diamondbacks will need to weigh the pros and cons of each move, considering both short-term gains and long-term benefits.
Source: https://arizonasports.com/mlb/arizona-diamondbacks/trade-naylor/3591117