After dropping their long-time beginning first baseman, Christian Walker, to the Houston Astros in free company this previous week, the Arizona Diamondbacks might have discovered their alternative.
The Diamondbacks have reportedly acquired first baseman Josh Naylor from the Cleveland Guardians in change for right-handed pitcher Slade Cecconi and a aggressive steadiness Spherical B draft decide.
Naylor is just not fairly the defensive presence that Walker is, however he must be a greater than sufficient alternative on the plate and can also be six years youthful.
Walker gained three Gold Gloves for Arizona.
Whereas it’s a little bit of a downgrade because of the defensive play, it’s unlikely the Diamondbacks had been going to discover a higher various on the free-agent market at this level.
Naylor will likely be eligible without spending a dime company after this season.
He had turn out to be a daily within the Guardians lineup over the previous three seasons, topping the 20-home run mark two instances (he hit 17 the opposite season), together with a career-high 31 house runs this season.
Cecconi figures to be one other arm for the again finish of Cleveland’s pitching workers, both as a starter or bullpen arm. He appeared in 20 video games in the course of the 2024 season, beginning 13 of them.
Cleveland already added to its rotation earlier this month when it acquired Luis Ortiz in a commerce with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
With Naylor gone, meaning Cleveland can anticipate a wholly new proper aspect of its infield subsequent season after additionally buying and selling second baseman Andres Gimenez this offseason. Gimenez was despatched to Toronto for Spencer Horwitz, who was later traded to Pittsburgh for Oritz.
