During the offseason, the Cleveland Guardians faced a difficult but anticipated choice.
They sent pitcher Slade Cecconi and a draft pick to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for first baseman Josh Naylor, who was about to enter his final season of team control before becoming a free agency.
The writing was on the wall for Naylor since the Guardians would rather trade players who are about to become free agents than lose them for nothing.
The slugger is having a fantastic start in Arizona after hitting 31 home runs and dishing out 108 RBIs for Cleveland the previous season.
“Josh Naylor has walked more than he has struck out thus far and is now up to 4 HR and 4 SB in 19 games,” fantasy expert Eric Cross posted on X.
Naylor’s 2025 collection is striking. 324/.402/.577.
In his last season with Cleveland, Naylor was criticized for two things: his poor plate discipline and lack of conditioning.
Despite walking infrequently in 2024, he has so far amassed 10 walks versus seven strikeouts while playing for Arizona.
Naylor has looked fantastic with the D’backs, whether due to the weather or the fact that he is motivated by his impending free agency.
It’s safe to assume that Arizona doesn’t regret the deal, but it’s unclear how he will perform in August or September when players begin to exhibit the effects of the long season.
