Josh Naylor Traded to Mariners, D-Backs Get Prospects Brandyn Garcia, Ashton Izzi

The Seattle Mariners have traded for first baseman Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for left-hander Brandyn Garcia and right-hander Ashton Izzi, the team announced Thursday.

Naylor hit .292 with 11 home runs and 58 RBI this season with Arizona.

Prior to the trade, the 28-year-old had been linked to the Boston Red Sox, who currently hold a Wild Card spot and have needed a reliable first baseman since Triston Casas went down with an injury early in the season.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported that the Diamondbacks planned to deal some of their veteran players ahead of the trade deadline, with many expecting Naylor to head east to Boston rather than north to Seattle.

“The Arizona Diamondbacks are telling rival clubs they plan to trade at least some of their veterans," Rosenthal said. "However, the extent to which the Diamondbacks will sell is not yet clear, according to league sources briefed on their plans.

“The number of deals Arizona completes before next Thursday’s trade deadline will hinge on a variety of factors, including the level of interest in their players, whether the proposals they receive for their qualifying-offer candidates exceed the potential draft-pick compensation and the assessment of club officials about the team’s ability to compete for the third wild-card spot," Rosenthal continued.

Naylor signed a one-year, $10.9 million contract with the Diamondbacks ahead of the season and is set to become an unrestricted free agent next year.

It’s likely that Naylor will replace 30-year-old Luke Raley at first base in Seattle upon his arrival.