According to the Associated Press on Saturday, the Cleveland Guardians have traded American League All-Star first baseman Josh Naylor of Mississauga, Ontario to the Arizona Diamondbacks for pitcher Slade Cecconi and a draft pick in 2025.
Naylor is joining his third Major League Baseball team. He previously played two seasons with the San Diego Padres in 2019 and 2020, and the last five seasons with the Cleveland Guardians, where he was an All-Star in 2024.
In 2024, Naylor batted .243 with 31 home runs and 108 runs batted in. During 152 games, 633 plate appearances, and 563 at bats, he scored 84 runs and had 137 hits, 27 doubles, six stolen bases, 58 walks, 257 total bases, and four sacrifice flies, with an on base percentage of .320, and a slugging percentage of .456. Naylor had career highs in runs. home runs, runs batted in, walks, and total bases.
Also this past season, Naylor had three multi-home run games. He hit two home runs in a 13-7 Guardians win over the Colorado Rockies on May 28, two home runs in an 8-0 Guardians win over the Seattle Mariners on June 19, and two home runs in a 5-4 Guardians win over the Minnesota Twins on September 18.
Naylor was also key in helping Cleveland reach the postseason, specifically the American League Championship Series. The Guardians won the American League Central with a record of 92 wins and 69 losses.
