2024 All-Star First Baseman Traded to Diamondbacks
After it was announced yesterday that Christian Walker signed a deal with the Astros, the Arizona Diamondbacks were without a starting first baseman. Just earlier today, Paul Goldschmidt signed a one-year deal with the Yankees, thinning the first base market even more. In response, the Diamondbacks acquired 2024 all-star first baseman Josh Naylor from the Diamondbacks. In return, Cleveland will receive right-handed pitcher Slade Cecconi and a competitive balance Round B pick.
Josh Naylor has been one of the top-hitting first basemen in recent years. In a position stacked with guys like Freddie Freeman and Pete Alonso, Naylor often gets looked over. However, he has played a huge part in helping the Guardians reach the playoffs three different times during his career. In 2023, he had a true breakout season with an outstanding slash line of .308/.354/.489. In 2024, he followed it up with another great year. While he did not have the same numbers in terms of average and on-base percentage, he improved his power a great amount. He hit a career-high 31 home runs and drove in 108 runs. Naylor will be a great replacement for Walker at first base, and while he won’t put up quite the same numbers, he will be relatively close.
For the Guardians, this is their second big trade of the offseason, in which it looks more and more like they are sellers. After trading Andres Gimenez to the Blue Jays just two weeks ago, they have now traded the remaining right side of their infield. Going into a contract year, it makes sense for the Guardians to trade Naylor if they were not planning on paying him. Coming back from Arizona is Slade Cecconi, who has relatively little big-league experience. He debuted in 2023 and struggled a little bit, but 2024 offered no insight for improvement. In 77 innings, he posted a 6.66 ERA with a 1.416 WHIP. The move looks to be more of a salary dump for the Guardians rather than trying to improve the team.
In a competitive NL West Division, the Diamondbacks are showing they are not willing to back down and give way to the rest of the teams. Although they have yet to sign a big free agent, they have made a big splash by acquiring Naylor and being aggressive in filling their holes. The Guardians seem to be confident in their prospects of filling the voids that are being created from their trades. They have been at the top of the AL Central for the past few years and look to set themselves up for the future to continue their success.
