The Arizona Diamondbacks have hoped that a run was coming for most of this season, that they could avoid selling off key pieces and approach the trade deadline as a buyer.
They have settled into selling ahead of Thursday’s deadline, getting an early start on the market when they shipped off first baseman Josh Naylor and outfielder Randal Grichuk.
In a seller’s market, there has been significant interest in many players on the Diamondbacks’ roster, mostly in those who will hit free agency at the end of the year and are seen as more likely to be moved — although that has not stopped clubs from asking about controllable players.
Let’s review the timeline of this deadline, starting with a trade one week early:
July 24: Diamondbacks trade Josh Naylor to Mariners
The D-backs dealt Naylor to Seattle for pitching prospects Brandyn Garcia and Ashton Izzi.
After sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals out of the All-Star break, the Diamondbacks’ potential momentum halted with a particularly maddening series in which they were swept by an injury-plagued Houston Astros squad.
With the writing on the wall and a flurry of trade offers coming in, the D-backs struck early by sending Naylor to Seattle.
It was the sixth trade of major leaguers between the Diamondbacks and Mariners since Mike Hazen took over as Arizona’s general manager following the 2016 season.
Aftermath for Arizona: Naylor was a big bat to remove from the middle of the order, and with more trade rumors around the team, Arizona went out and scored two runs in 38 innings played from Friday to Monday.
Naylor hit .292 with an .807 OPS in Arizona.
Tristin English, 28, will take the bulk of first base reps for the time being in his first real MLB look. Pavin Smith is on the injured list with an oblique strain and is positioned to take over at first base when healthy, at least against righties. Adrian Del Castillo can fill in as a designated hitter option against righties, depending on how the D-backs organize their roster.
Garcia is 25 years old and already up with the big league club. The lefty made his D-backs debut on Sunday, throwing a scoreless inning out of the bullpen. He hit 96 mph with his sinker, giving the D-backs another left-handed option with a different look than fellow southpaws Kyle Backhus and Andrew Saalfrank.
Izzi, a 21-year-old right-handed starter, was assigned to High-A Hillsboro.
July 26: Diamondbacks trade Randal Grichuk to Royals
The D-backs pulled Grichuk out of Saturday’s game, as he hugged his teammates goodbye in the dugout. He jumped into Kansas City’s starting lineup the next day.
Arizona acquired right-handed reliever Andrew Hoffmann in return, a 25-year-old who, like Garcia, could assist the bullpen sooner rather than later.
Aftermath for Arizona: Grichuk has been a platoon bat against lefties for Arizona over the past couple seasons, filling the role decently well (.807 OPS as a D-back). Arizona brought up outfielder Jorge Barrosa over the weekend and kept him on the roster once Alek Thomas returned from the bereavement list.
Barrosa is a switch-hitter, so he gives the D-backs some flexibility. Blaze Alexander is a right-handed option to start against lefties, while Jordan Lawlar (injured list) and Tim Tawa are right-handed bats in Triple-A Reno who could come back up at some point.
Arizona had already fared better against righties than lefties this season, so removing Grichuk puts even more of the onus on Ketel Marte and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. specifically to punish southpaws down the stretch.
Hoffmann made his MLB debut with Kansas City this season and was sent to Reno after the trade. The Diamondbacks’ bullpen has been brutalized by injuries this year, and Garcia and Hoffmann represent two younger arms to help build out the group going forward.
July 28: Eugenio Suarez hit in hand by pitch while trade rumors swirl
One of the most popular players mentioned in trade rumors is Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez.
The Mariners, Astros, Tigers, Phillies and Cubs are among teams that have been tied to the All-Star slugger.
On Monday, Suarez dug in against the Tigers and was plunked in the right index finger by a 96 mph sinker thrown by Will Vest. Suarez hopped up and shook his hand furiously in pain, exiting the game quickly afterward.
Suarez told reporters that his X-rays were negative but that he would undergo more testing.
The Diamondbacks have reportedly commanded a very high price for Suarez in trades, which led the interested Yankees to find another third base solution in Ryan McMahon from Colorado.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported on Monday morning before the game that Detroit would love to finalize a trade for Suarez before the D-backs leave Detroit on Wednesday.
Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro said on Monday’s Burns & Gambo that the D-backs are torn on what to do with Suarez, as he’s very well regarded in the building.
Is there a scenario where Eugenio Suarez is NOT traded?
And if so, what does it mean for next season?@Gambo987 has the latest! pic.twitter.com/t1uUmG5BlQ
— The Burns & Gambo Show (@BurnsAndGambo) July 28, 2025
Nightengale wrote that the D-backs have not entered contract extension talks with the 34-year-old Suarez.
