Passan: How Josh Naylor gives the Mariners an edge

Just as they did a year ago, the Seattle Mariners made one of the first big splashes ahead of the trade deadline when they acquired 2024 All-Star first baseman Josh Naylor last Thursday.

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With the addition of Naylor, the M’s have their first baseman for their playoff push and one of the hottest commodities thought to be available at this year’s deadline.

Naylor’s .294 batting average and 125 wRC+ (100 is league average) bring much-needed consistent production to the middle of the Mariners’ lineup. And it’s not the only thing he will add to the team, according to ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan.

Passan shared an attribute Naylor brings to the Mariners that will be important for a playoff run during his weekly conversation with Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk on Tuesday.

“I love the attitude, and it will (tick) opponents off,” Passan said. “(Opponents) do not like Josh. Josh Naylor is like the classic (case of) you love him when he’s your teammate, you might not when he’s not. And I like adding a little bit of attitude to this team. I’m not saying the Mariners are too nice or anything, but in playoff baseball especially, you need edge.”

The edge Passan is talking about is something Naylor displays regularly on the field, and it perhaps has never been encapsulated more than a viral clip of Naylor shouting at the crowd in Chicago and later spiking his helmet in the dugout after hitting a home run during a 2022 game with the Cleveland Guardians. Or the time he headbutted Guardians manager Terry Francona after hitting his first career walkoff home run.

Passan went on to call Naylor an ideal add for the Mariners’ lineup.

“He just fits everything so perfectly,” Passan said. “Fit a position of need at first base, added another guy who has really good bat-to-ball skills, adds some pop in the middle of the lineup.”

Where the lineup stands

With Naylor now in the fold, the Mariners’ lineup has more length and a top five of the order that looks rather formidable with J.P. Crawford, Julio Rodríguez, MLB home run leader Cal Raleigh, Randy Arozarena and Naylor. That group of five has a combined seven career All-Star nods.

The Mariners are still looking to add and have reportedly been in pursuit of third baseman Eugenio Suárez, who is a former Mariner and also played with Naylor in Arizona. If the M’s don’t land Suárez, Passan is still feeling good with how the lineup looks with Naylor in it.

“You look at the Mariners’ lineup right now, I know they want to add Geno Suárez. If they can do that, it would be great.” Passan said. “I’m kind of comfortable with where this lineup is at this point. If I’m the Mariners, even if they don’t get Suárez, I feel pretty good about it.”

Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player near the top of this story. Listen to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app. 

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