Josh Naylor, Ryan McMahon Trades Could Impact Cubs’ Deadline Plans
The market is heating up, with several trades taking place over the last day or two. One of the biggest so far is former Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon heading to the Yankees, which followed the Mariners’ acquisition of Josh Naylor from the Diamondbacks. Though the Cubs were not directly involved in either deal, adding McMahon means the Yankees are no longer part of the Eugenio Suárez sweepstakes. And though the Mariners are reportedly still interested in bringing Suárez back, what’s most important is that Arizona is clearly open for business.
Mark Feinsand noted on Friday that the Diamondbacks may end up retaining Suárez in hopes that they can re-sign him this offseason. While that feels like a leverage play to make teams up their offers, weirder things have happened. Brian Cashman pulling the trigger on McMahon this early seems quite peculiar at first glance, but it likely indicates that D-backs GM Mike Hazen has set a very high price for this year’s most coveted rental bat.
Jon Heyman listed a plethora of teams that would like to add Suárez to their roster, with a potential bidding war expected due to the third baseman’s elite power tools. In addition to the Cubs and the teams mentioned above, interested parties include the Astros, Brewers, Reds, and Tigers.
Phillies are yet another potential fit for Eugenio Suarez, with Bohm out and a need for a righty bat. Yanks, Mariners, Cubs, Reds, Astros, Tigers, Brewers all are also fits. @ctrent @francysromeroFR @ByRobertMurray all contributed teams
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 25, 2025
The Cubs could use a third baseman, but it shouldn’t be a top priority. If Suárez goes elsewhere and they decide that Matt Shaw isn’t the best option to serve in an everyday capacity for the rest of this year, a possibility that is shifting based on his recent surge, Willi Castro is a name to keep an eye on.
