Yankees may have clearer path to Eugenio Suarez after Josh Naylor trade originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The first big move of Major League Baseball’s 2025 trade deadline just landed. The Seattle Mariners acquired first baseman Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks, exchanging two minor‑league pitching prospects.. That trade not only fills Seattle’s left-handed thump need—it likely pushes them out of the running for third baseman Eugenio Suárez, who has become the trade deadline’s marquee target.
For the New York Yankees, that’s both good and bad news. There are fewer competitors, but a hotter bidding war is shaping up, which historically doesn’t suit their quietly conservative front-office strategy.
Mariners Sidestep Suarez Chase with Naylor Deal
In his 2025 season with Arizona, Naylor hit .292/.360/.447, with 11 homers and 59 RBIs over 93 games.
As The Athletic’s Eno Sarris observed:
“Josh Naylor will probably cost less than Eugenio Suarez… Mariners thought they could strike early and pay less for someone who could help them a lot at a position of need. In a vacuum, you prefer Suarez’ quality of contact plus D.”
Seattle clearly chose early certainty over a protracted bidding war.
Suarez Leads Diamondbacks’ Trade Market
Suárez, hitting .252 with 36 home runs, 86 RBIs, and a .918 OPS through early July, is leading the Diamondbacks’ lineup and is considered one of MLB’s premier third-base bats in 2025. With Arizona trailing in the NL West and ace Corbin Burnes sidelined after Tommy John surgery, GM Mike Hazen appears ready to sell from the top down, including Suárez, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, and now Naylor.
According to Jon Heyman, Suarez has drawn interest from the Yankees, Cubs, and Reds, and the negotiation is expected to stretch out due to multiple suitors.
Yankees Must Pick Their Path Carefully
For New York, removing Seattle from the Suarez sweepstakes clears one runway—but also increases visible competition. The Yankees have generally avoided overpaying for external help; trading top prospects or assuming long-term risk doesn’t fit their current Blue-Chip Avoidance Strategy.
Third base remains a glaring need for a club coping with Oswald Peraza’s struggles and Oswaldo Cabrera’s injury. Suarez would provide power, consistency, and veteran presence that internal options lack.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.