The Arizona Diamondbacks find themselves in a familiar position — straddling the line between contender and pretender. Sitting just above .500, Arizona’s front office is heading towards a critical decision of whether to buy, sell, or stand pat when the trade deadline approaches. With the need for arms becoming increasingly urgent, the D-backs may have to part with some familiar faces to address their biggest weaknesses. Here are three players who could become trade chips if the right offer comes along.
3 most likely Diamondbacks to get traded at the deadline
3B - Eugenio Suárez
Eugenio Suárez might currently lead Arizona in home runs so far this season, but his future in the desert feels anything but guaranteed. The veteran slugger, who’s turning 34 is entering the final months of his contract and is unlikely to be part of the club’s long-term plans.
Since arriving from Seattle ahead of the 2024 season, Suárez has provided power the Diamondbacks hoped for. He’s launched 42 homers including 12 already this season, while carrying a healthy 125 OPS+, an improvement from his 116 mark last year. Yet with age creeping in and the team’s pitching depth unraveling, Suárez feels like the kind of bat a playoff-bound team might overpay for at the deadline.
If the Diamondbacks remain in the thick of the playoff race, prying Suárez away won’t come cheap. But if the front office decides it’s time to cash in on aging assets, Suárez’s ability to hit for power makes him one of Arizona’s most valuable rental chips.
1B - Josh Naylor
When Christian Walker departed via free agency last offseason, the Diamondbacks needed a reliable stopgap at first base. Since acquiring Naylor from the Guardians, he has done the job and then some. The left-handed slugger is hitting .293 with four home runs, 23 RBIs, and six stolen bases — proving to be more than just a placeholder in the heart of Arizona’s lineup.
Like Suárez, Naylor is playing on an expiring contract, and with no extension appearing imminent, his future with the club is murky. What complicates the situation is the emergence of Pavin Smith, who has spelled Naylor admirably at first base, slashing .302/.442/.531 with four homers and 10 RBIs in limited duty.
Should the Diamondbacks shift into seller mode, moving Naylor to bolster their farm system or pitching staff becomes a realistic option. However, if the team stays in the playoff hunt, it’s hard to envision Arizona pulling the plug unless they receive a valuable return package.
SS - Jordan Lawlar
If Arizona truly wants to swing big and acquire a top-of-the-rotation arm, there’s one name that could make it happen — Jordan Lawlar. The Diamondbacks' top prospect and former first-round pick is the crown jewel of their farm system. A true five-tool talent, Lawlar is taking defensive reps all over the infield, including second base, shortstop, and third base, as the organization searches for a way to get his bat into the everyday lineup.
Trading Lawlar feels unlikely, almost unthinkable. The organization has invested heavily in his development, and moving on from a potential franchise cornerstone is the kind of move that requires absolute certainty in return. However, if Arizona goes all-in on winning now, Lawlar is the kind of asset that could unlock a deal for an elite, controllable starter — something the Diamondbacks desperately lack.
More likely, Arizona clears the path for Lawlar by moving Suárez, allowing him to slide into the infield down the stretch. But as the deadline draws nearer, never say never. If the right blockbuster opportunity presents itself, even the organization’s most untouchable prospect could be in play.