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Naylor trade signifies the Diamondbacks clear pivot towards the future
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks showed a clear direction they plan on going after trading first baseman Josh Naylor on Thursday.

For the past month, the Diamondbacks have been on the fence about whether they should sell or buy at the deadline. After being swept by the Houston Astros earlier this week, the choice seemed to be made. Naylor was traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for two pitching prospects.

The trade signifies that the D-Backs’ front office is looking past this season and retooling for the next. With pitchers like Corbin Burnes, AJ Puk and Justin Martinez out for extensive time, the Snakes have made it clear they need pitching depth to compete the next few years.

General Mike Hazen believes the team is still in a position to compete, according to MLB’s Steve Gilbert, taking advantage of the first baseman market to acquire pitching. However, trading a mid-tier slugger could signal the team is unofficially entering seller mode.

Hazen also has “not ruled out” a trade for three-time All-Star Ketel Marte, depending on the haul, according to The Extra Point’s Mark McClune. With Marte’s value, the Diamondbacks would be in a great position to receive the pitching they’re looking for.

With the trade deadline approaching and key arms on the shelf, the Diamondbacks appear to be shifting their focus to the future.

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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