The Diamondbacks announced they’ve acquired Josh Naylor from the Guardians for right-hander Slade Cecconi and a Competitive Balance Round B draft pick.
An All-Star for the first time in 2024, Naylor hit a solid .243/.320/.456 (118 wRC+) with a career-high 31 homers in 152 games for the Guardians this past year. That continues a three-year run of solid production from Naylor in Cleveland, as he’s posted an even better .267/.330/.465 (121 wRC+) slash line since becoming a regular fixture of the Guardians’ lineup in 2022. In addition to that solid 20-to-30 homer power Naylor has displayed, he’s posted impressive contact numbers with a strikeout rate of just 15.6% across the past three seasons. He’s paired that low strikeout rate with an improving walk rate that reached 9.2% in 2024. In Arizona, the 27-year-old Naylor joins an offense that not only lost Christian Walker at first base when he landed in Houston on a three-year deal earlier this week but also figures to provide the left-handed pop the club lost when DH Joc Pederson elected free agency last month.
He’s a solid fit for that role, though with free agency just one season away at an arbitration salary that MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projects to land at $12MM, he lacks the surplus value more attractive trade targets typically offer. That increasing price tag in arbitration combined with the presence of youngster Kyle Manzardo as an obvious successor at first made Naylor somewhat expendable for the Guardians, however, and this evening’s addition of veteran first baseman Carlos Santana to the Cleveland lineup on a one-year deal suggests that the Guardians may have preferred to reallocate Naylor’s projected salary and playing time to the 15-year MLB veteran.
In exchange for parting ways with the slugger, they’ve added some draft capital and an intriguing young arm in Cecconi. Competitive Balance Round B encompassed the 66th through 73rd picks in the 2024 draft. As noted by MLB.com’s Joe Trezza, the Guardians already had the first pick of Competitive Balance Round B in 2025. Now, the club will get a second pick in that same round as the Diamondbacks were slated to pick third behind Cleveland and Baltimore.
Meanwhile, Cecconi is a former first-round selection by the Diamondbacks who has pitched in parts of the last two seasons for the club but has yet to establish himself in the majors. He flashed league average numbers in an up-and-down role with Arizona in 2023, pitching to a 4.33 ERA (102 ERA+) with a 4.37 FIP in 27 innings spread between four starts and three relief appearances. Those numbers took a tumble in a longer stint with the big league club this year, however. Cecconi struggled to a 6.66 ERA (63 ERA+) in 77 innings of work. While his 5.02 FIP was substantially better, that figure was still well below league average. Cecconi enjoyed an excellent 5% walk rate in the majors last year, but his 18.9% strikeout rate was lackluster and he allowed an eye-popping 16 homers in just 20 games.
Disastrous as his 2024 season was, however, Cecconi will now get an opportunity to move to a club well-regarded for its ability to develop young pitchers. Still just 25, the right-hander’s 3.04 ERA and 29.5% strikeout rate in 47 innings at the Triple-A level this year offer some reason for optimism regarding his future in the big leagues, whether that winds up being out of the rotation or the bullpen. After losing Matthew Boyd and Alex Cobb in free agency and with Shane Bieber expected not to pitch until midway through the 2025 season, Cleveland already added Luis Ortiz to their rotation earlier this winter. Cecconi may not be able to break a rotation that now projects to include Ortiz alongside Tanner Bibee, Ben Lively, Gavin Williams, and Triston McKenzie on Opening Day, but he’ll provide depth for the club nonetheless.
Turning back to Arizona, the acquisition of Naylor brings the club’s estimated payroll to $160MM according to RosterResource. That leaves the club with some additional flexibility before they reach their 2024 figure of $173MM, which Diamondbacks brass has previously indicated the 2025 payroll will likely end up in the vicinity of. The club is known to be in the market for relief pitching and has previously expressed interest in a reunion with Pederson, though it’s possible they believe the addition of Naylor fills the void created by Pederson’s departure.
With Naylor now set to join Eugenio Suarez, Zac Gallen, and Merrill Kelly as key contributors slated for free agency next winter, it’s possible the club could also benefit from being in longer-term help for its lineup or rotation that can help preserve continuity alongside core pieces like Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll, and Gabriel Moreno. Jordan Montgomery is also slated to reach free agency next winter, but the Diamondbacks haven’t been shy about looking to move him this winter and could free up additional payroll space by doing so.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post first reported the Diamondbacks were nearing a deal for Naylor. Jeff Passan of ESPN had the full trade terms.
Did the Cubs ever have a chance?
Cubs didn’t need Naylor, already have Busch at 1B.
Guardians landed Santana
landed Santana? with his walker? good luck in April and September. these are not your Francona Indians, Cleveland.
Haha
He will platoon against lefties. It’s a shrewd move…
Seems like they could have had him for free.
And they’d still have Cam Smith – as well as the possibility of using Naylor or Busch, along with Paredes and Belli as trade chips.
Tucker is a great player, but the Cubs sure seemed to give up a bundle for one year.
Cubs were never in on Naylor and had no interest in him. They got good deals for Tucker and to give away Bellinger for a decent arm.
@‘kid’bryant:
Being ‘in’ on Naylor, and the wisdom of picking him up for basically free – are two separate things. But I agree with your statement that the Cubs ‘gave’ Belli away – but I don’t agree the Cubs got a decent arm’, in return. Pateet is nothing but whatever is behind ‘door #3’.
I’ll take more self absorbed than a Yankees fan but dumber than a White Sox fan for $300 Alex.
There’s no reason the Cubs should have gone after Naylor over Tucker. Tucker is a ceiling raiser, Naylor is just another guy which the Cubs had a glut of before the Belli trade. You did see the return for that ‘trade chip’ right?
Cubs are a team that needed to upgrade on talent, Dbacks are a team that needed to fill lineup holes. Just wildly different scenarios.
Naylor, Slade.
I see you, Melvino.
That seems like a light return
Final year before reaching free agency.
Why pay more? They could have thrown 15m at Goldschmidt Santana maybe. Other 1b to trade for. I don’t see Naylor being better than other options.
Naylor and a Comp. Balance pick. Still kinda light, but Indians er, uh Guardians have a way of getting the most out of pitchers.
Naylor does tip the scales, a ton.
You mean he tips the scales “at” a ton right?!!
Not a light return when you figure the added cost of catering that Arizona is going to have to pay.
Kind of. But at the same time, Naylor isn’t that great and he’s an impending FA. Even considering his 118 OPS+ and 31 HR, his bWAR was only 1.5 and his fWAR was only 2.3. I don’t watch Guardians games so I don’t know about his defense, but defensive metrics suggest he is not a good defender.
Google Moises Alou sliding in to second base if you want to see gruesome.
Brings back memories of Montreal Expos. Sure liked watching Moises. No one has his batting stance, not even close.
I can’t think of Moises without remembering his pine tar substitute preference. Seems like it must have worked though.
Maybe Mitch Haniger when he got his berry juiced.
Mariners have more ruptured testicles in their history than playoff appearances. So he’s not the only one.
Meh, don’t need the perm dude, fungible production from Carlos and one less dude clogging the basepaths
They were clearing space for Manzardo, nothing else.
Mike, I mean John-Carlo Stanton. Pretty awful shot to the face.
look up stephen drew sliding into home….images of watching it live still haunt me
One of the best Front Offices in MLB working for bottom feeders Ownership..I feel for Tribe Fan…
Don’t feel bad for us. We won World Series in 1948
The same year Israel as a country was founded….
Israel never won a World Series
Hank Greenberg and Sandy Koufax won 6 between them. That’s kinda like Israel winning a WS.
Sure looks like they’re winning one right now
Why do my comments need approval? You don’t reply to emails arbitrarily my posts are blocked. Before deleting this send me an email. It could be in response to this or one of the emails I sent you. I even signed up to pay you knowing most of the stuff I would not use. So tell me what awful things I have done to be on the naughty list.
This last one posts no problem.
Alex Bregman
lights the menorah
Hank Greenberg and Sandy Koufax are both American Jews, not Israeli. I get the joke, but denying their American-ness is not a great look considering how much they had to constantly prove to fans and the media that they were and could be both American and Jewish.
So does Pauly Shore-ah!
Well, people still call me “Asian American” even though my family has been on this rock over 100 years and we’ve fought in every war since WWII on behalf of America. Some groups are perpetual foreigners.
@proton: Certain words are flagged and your post will await moderation instead of being automatically posted. I assume you used a hot button word, even if you used it innocuously.
You’re a full blooded American to me, buddy. To baseball and freedom: L’chaim!
Sorengo oh damn that was rough!
Proton certain words trigger automatic moderation. Is rael is probably one of them.
Stop swearing
This is total BS. I posted about what Seattle could have given and wonder why they didn’t. I did use a couple words that I changed the letters. Not unlike most have done on here. It was about the rear end him being a cheap ___. Have I posted anything derogatory about any one? Have I used offensive cuss words? I get a post deleted and no response to multiple emails. I will make a deal with Tim or whoever. Refund my money and I will never grace your website again or man up and tell me why. An easy email will work. Not a bad guy pretty easy going. Just need some answers.
Well I used the last part of the name of a sterile donkey. I did use two zz instead of ss. Other than that not much could be flagged unless they are part of Mariners ownership group. I just posted an article asking for a reason again and no bad words were used. I have had posts not posted with no language and the type of words I use are not that bad. To hear me swear with trigger words I am very upset. I have sent a few emails asking for clarification but nothing. I have had multiple names on here. Get a new email address and set it up. Compassrose was my favorite for no I reason I could see I got banned. No warning no reply to my email. It is frustrating.
Take that back it posted down here. Didn’t scroll enough. I will apologize for that but the offer still stands. Refund money and I am gone forever.
The war of independence, 6 day war, Yom Kippur war, etc. Israel has had the fair share if big game wins.
Are you not of Asian descent? Are you not American? Asian+american=?
Thank you and your family for your service. And your sick dance moves
That’s ridiculous! Tribe made out today ! They flipped Naylor into a first and second rounder then picked up a guy to his equivalent. Brilliant mid market strategy. They are excellent at keeping the farm full
Santana is not equivalent offensively to Naylor in my opinion, but I do trust their front office. I hope that they are seeing something in Cecconi.
Yeah Naylor seems pretty redundant, plus that geri curl look was so 1979
@the kutch
You act like this “best front office” is chained to its chairs and whipped by skinflint owners. What a load of nonsense. Don’t “feel” for us; Cleveland has been in FAR more postseasons in the last three decades than pure chance (or its market) should ever allow. And CLE is the 3rd best all-time AL team by winning percentage…please, take your pity elsewhere. There are plenty of fanbases which truly deserve it.
AZ? Wow didn’t see it coming.
Gotta replace Walker somehow.
Yeah but now we’re not getting him, roo ;-(
Ummmm. He already got signed
Who?
Walker went to HOU
Exactly. Which means he isn’t going to Seattle. I was referring to not getting Naylor since he was seattles backup plan if they lost Walker.
Love this!
Here comes Kyle Manzardo, and the replacement for Christian Walker.
Nayled it.
Screw Cleveland. I’m done with this garbage
What you have to be made about look what those twits Atkins And Shapiro done since they left your organization you guys have flourished and they have bloody destroyed the Toronto Blue Jays organization in the last 10 years and their minor league system . These guys are “interested in everyone “ but sign dead beats constantly and trade all the players in the organizations for duds.
You might not sign players but yall are in on big names like ohtani and Soto Cleveland could never… Correction would never. Now I don’t expect them to be able to afford Soto and that contract, but even players we already have like kwan, they won’t extend him. He will play 2 more years here then be traded like lindor. They got Bieber to come back, but what does he have to lose…if he’s good, he leaves as a fa next year, if he’s trash he gets the second year here
They signed Jose only because he took wayyyyy less than he could have gotten to stay with this team. But they won’t be in on anyone big next year either. Imagine if they got a real bat like an Alonso or a vladdy *sigh* we can dream. At least I got to see Texas win 2 years ago
They got a better 1st baseman a pitcher and a draft pick. Naylor has a whopping 6WAR for his entire career. Cleveland’s front office knows what they are doing.
Santana at age 38 is an improvement over naylor? I kniw 1b isn’t like a speed position but players that age get hurt more on average than younger players id assume. Also I hope this plays well in the locker room. Players seemed to like him and his brother is still here
Guyerbassist;
Santana will very probably produce with the bat and glove similarly to what Naylor would have done. He also will be a veteran team leader as Naylor was. Their salaries are about equal.
This is the way small market teams work. They’ll have a similar player for a year at about the same salary as the player he’s replacing. Meanwhile they’ll work in a youngster that they control for years – Kyle Manzardo – a 1B / DH. Cleveland likes to use all the players on their roster. The problem with working Manzardo into the line-up was that both he and Naylor are LH hitters. Santana is a switch-hitter, so he’ll be used against tough LH pitchers during games to shield Manzardo from them until he gets more experience at the ML level.
Meanwhile the team got a young arm to work with. As noted in the article, Cleveland has one of the best pitching systems in MLB. They don’t have to give starters $200m multi-year contracts, they bring along starting pitchers that can keep the team in the game the first 4-6 innings then bring in the best bullpen pitchers in MLB.
A logical, and potentially excellent trade from one of the smartest organizations in MLB.
Point taken but the pitcher they got for naylor looks really bad based on stats. Negative war and era over 6. I knoe they have a good pitching system but that’s alot to have to fix lol
No, it doesn’t matter, right? Because you’re “done with this garbage.”
Meanwhile, the rest of us will enjoy another summer watching a young, competitive baseball team contend for another division title and the postseason without you.
Trust me Id Love to be proven wrong but they will not compete (OK maybe compete is harsh, but they won’t win long series) with teams that spend. Division? Sure why not. Post season – possible. World champions – hell no. They would have been spanked harder than new york was this last year. They just don’t have the firepower. At least not right now. You can’t just pray your pitchers are perfect every game so that you can win 1-0 in the playoffs
You never picked them to go to the ALCS last year or win the division in 2022. Don’t tell me that you did. And please don’t declare what they or any team can or cannot do once they get to the postseason. It’s a pure crapshoot. Cleveland has been exceedingly competitive in virtually every postseason it has gone to.
Only fans consistently sell this team short. Or the possibilities. There’s no way to guarantee anything in this game, yet here you are, guaranteeing they can’t win. If that’s the case, I suggest you just go watch movies or read books…then you can be sure it’s the same ending every time.
Nice pickup for the Snakes.
As I Tiger fan I won’t miss Naylor in the AL Central. Snakes got a good deal. Don’t know what the Guards are thinking.
They are thinking get something for him now or nothing for him later
They are thinking Kyle Manzardo is the future of the franchise, not Josh Naylor.
Awful trade for Cleveland. Hard to believe Yanks couldn’t pull off trade. Rather him than Goldschmidt.
Cleveland wanted him out of American League.
After all the times the Yankees have bounced Clevland from the playoffs , , highly doubt they would trade with NY unless they were bowled over.
@GiantBoy99 – Yankees had no “competitive” balance pick to give. The pick basically covers the pick Guardians would get had the extended QO to Naylor after 2025.
And Dbacks give up pick but get one year of Naylor, then can extend QO and recoup pick if he leaves.
Meh, the Yankees paid Goldschmidt a half of a million more than Cleveland gave Santana (which thanks to New York’s taxes compared to Ohio’s basically comes out in the wash) and didn’t have to give up anything but cash. Cashman probably didn’t like Cleveland’s asking price which may have been steeper for the Yankees than it was for the Diamondbacks
Mariner fan freak-outs in three, two, one…
We have every right to freak. Disaster of an organization. Starting with ownership.
Amazing how many horrible owners/GM’s there are according to some. And we are so fortunate to have some of baseballs very worst fans drop by MLB rumors on a regular basis.
AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not me. It’s rather just re-sign Turner.
He’s ancient lol. Why?
Harry Ford……
Yeah a lot of fans teams can complain what are their GMs doing?
Distracted Playing XBox or Playstation games? Asleep at the Wheel?
Maybe they get paid more to win their Fantasy Baseball tournaments
In a Season of Hope there is only Despair.
It Was the Best of Times It Was the Worst of Times
I am exaggerating NOT Life and Death but still ARGH
Naylor trade is kind of similar mindset and circumstance of the Tucker trade
Well, Alonso is still out there. No way M’s ownership is gonna pay the man, but Christmas is right around the corner, and…..uh, who am I kidding. Christmas is CANCELED for Mariners fans.
I agree Seattle fans and others should be upset but that was a hefty price to pay for one season. 12 mil, a first and second rounder. That’s a haul !
He’ll be missed in Cleveland.
Lose Christian Walker. Replace him w a better younger bat but worse defender
I WONDER how much Naylor will get next year as a FA ?
Sucks he leaves his 2 brothers in Cleveland
No, he has one brother in Cleveland. The other is with the A’s.
Better bat?!
Bo is in Cleveland but his other brother Myles was drafted by the A’s
Only one brother in Cleveland the other Miles plays for the As
2 brothers? He is going to love hitting in AZ. All the buffets in town are going to be out of business in 3 months.
I’m seriously done with the Mariners. What a joke of an organization.
Nah you aint going nowhere
Don’t doubt my disdain for such a stupid org
Haha Double A, you literally made me laugh out loud.
You want to trade a high draft pick high upside pitcher and comp pick for 1 year of this guy? Pay 14m for Santana? 17m for Goldschmidt?
As somone whose second team is the Rangers, I’d rather have your front office than Cleveland lol. You’ll win the division most likely becuase Rangers are cheap and Astros are selling pieces
Trust me you don’t want the Mariners FO
They are better than the Blue Jays management , “no one in this mlb league is worse than these guys
Mariners are still second at best
Mariners will finish 4th in AL West with their lineup as it stands
Their pricing still keeps them above Texas.
You really wanted that guy!?
Yes
Considering the low cost here, it is obvious Reds management is unable or unwilling to complete a deal to improve the club’s offense.
Only desperate moves that weaken an area of the big league club elsewhere seems to be their forte.
Reds really could have pulled this off considering what Cleveland got back. Naylor would’ve belted 35 bombs in that park too…
Pirates could have kept Ortiz and made this deal but they didn’t want to pay the salary of an established player. Rather roll the dice on someone who is much cheaper.
Loser trade for Pittsburgh and maybe Cincinnati. Do they have a high draft pick upside arm they failed to develop that still has trade value? Is their comp pick a B and even if it is would they want to trade it? They really need those draft picks.
Pittsburgh didn’t give up a arm this good and got 6 years of a platoon at least. Still got draft pick.
Cincinnati Pittsburgh are losers. Goal should be to be Cleveland. So if they are getting rid of this guy you shouldn’t be adding him.
Terry Francona might decide to quit and just retire.
I don’t understand why CIN was in such a rush to sign Jeimer last year
3 years for $45M. What other team(s) was driving up the price?
A healthy CES will rake in Cincy.
That is a hope, not a certainty. Not enough of a sample size to know, and where? First, third, DH?
Something’s wrong here. Slade who?
At least he’s a SP which is what CLE needs. Now whether or not he’s any good is a different matter entirely, but Guards ownership sure loves that price tag.
Cleveland paid Carlos Santana $12M, likely a similar amount that Naylor would have received in arbitration, so it was not a money dump
Diamondbacks got their 1B pop they lost with the departure of Christian Walker, and they remain competitive for 2025.
They just kicked the can down the road a year.
At least they are doing that.
That’s it? I get he’s a one year rental, but that seems pretty lame to me.
If Naylor makes 12m and you can just give Santana Goldschmidt 12m. Why would you give a huge return?
Mariners are running out of options…
Hello Boston?
Tigers too unless they actually trust Tork. Yandy Diaz is still there as trade bait and could be the best of the bunch. Polar Bears negotiating power is waning.
Wow. Good get by the Diamondbacks. I was really hoping that the Mariners would get Naylor. Obviously we are choosing to take this off season OFF…..If we were not able to get Naylor because our owner, John Stanton, limited the franchises payroll enough that it would not allow us to pick up this contract, it would make me extremely sad.
Mariners have become a laughing stock of Seattle and probably MLB too
I love it! I hope they get stuck with moore at third bliss at second and Raley at first. Polanco is still available! I love to see them fail it’s getting very entertaining…
I know more about baseball than you do pal so go back to your mom’s basement with your stained drawers…
Let’s hear your genius plan.
Trade Castillo and a top prospect for Mayo sign the Korean guy Kim to play second and Turner can platoon at first with Raley…Two free agents maybe cost 20 mil a year you save 24 mil on Castillo you’re money ahead and you have an infield…Then use some Castillo money to sign a #4-5 starter..How’s that?
It’s not a bad idea but SEA needs at least 2 more hitters, their offense is suboptimal
Which Kim did you mean the ex SDP or the new one?
I’d be afraid JRod is going to demand a trade soon.
They can trade Castillo but they don’t need another starter but every team can use a deep bullpen – a RP
Consider 3B FA Yoan Moncada, G. Torres, talk to Palesox about Robert Jr., Santander probably NOT Teo deja vu all over again
The new Kim…I like Moncada but the other guys are too expensive for them…I have 3 new hitters in my scenario
That literally doesn’t move the needle for Seattles offense at all lol.
That’s about all they can do or are willing to do. It would be enough to put them in contention..
lol no it wouldn’t.
Just look at Toronto Blue jays upper management before u consider yours as the worst they do not hold a candle to anyone . Pure garbage
U mad Theodore?
Only hope is Amazon buys the Mariners OR Google or Oracle or Apple OR?
From a long-term perspective, I can see the logic in the deals they made for Naylor and Gimenez. But they apparently forgot that they were just in the ALCS.
All of their moves would seem to suggest that there’s something else in the works (like using the money they’ve saved toward a legitimate lineup or rotation upgrade), but until that happens I’m not really sure what their plan is.
No plan for the money except the owner keeps it. The lineup needs an OF that hits.
My guess is they think Manzardo and Noel will platoon and have the same numbers. We just freed another 12 mil. This makes 22 mil between Gimenez and Naylor they can go and spend.
64th overall is the comp B pick attached to the trade.
Sorry, 76th overall
Spend? That’s not a word in Cleveland’s dictionary
Never mind, Santana is back. This at least makes a little bit of sense but still.
Spend it on what though?
I feel like the Cleveland FO is asleep half the time. You lost against the Yankees becuase you couldn’t hit… So your response is to trade a gold glove 2b for a prospect hitter… Which you flip for a pitcher
Then you trade one of the few players you have who can hit the ball hard for a worthless pick and a guy with an era over 6.5…
Unless they are gonna sign Alonso, which they won’t, who are you gonna spend 22mil on. This pisses me off because I’ve split my life between Dallas and Cleveland. The Rangers are a perfect example of how to win a title. Home grown players and then spend to put you over the top. Cle walked out halfway through the lesson because they won’t do the spending part.
You obviously don’t watch the Guardians or you would understand that that Gimenez was a very light bat for the money they tied to him and Naylor has a hole in his swing and can’t hit lefties.I much prefer the Manzardo/santana platoon. We have several kids in the pipeline that can manage a 78 production, like Gimenez did…
By the way…Naylor had two walks in the entire postseason, with a .680 OPS. You’re right, we need to upgrade the offense.
Getting out of the Giménez deal was fantastic.
Darn BlueJays better get going. Loosing all the good ones. Atkins is dragging his feet.
I actually feel like TOR is going to sign a major FA between now and New Years. At a certain price and contract length Santander could be a good fit?
Again probably not Teo part 2 but maybe.
Any Thoughts?
Good luck with that one these guys in upper management are the 2 biggest bullshitters in baseball . In all there interviews if u watch carefully they never answer any questions directly and talk in circles.
Atkins is too stupid to make good deals I think his baseball IQ on making good deals sucks . And Rogers does nothing about it . It’s not how many repairs u do to the stadium but what u damn put in the field for fans to see.
Somebody must have hidden prellers cell phone in cement during stadium renovations.
Yet another name some Pirates fans were bandying about as someone who may come here, and another name off the board
Its hilarious. The Pirates have done *nothing* this off season other than give away a good starting pitcher for a question mark
Worst owner in baseball for the worst franchise
Good point-Pirates would have been a nice fit at lower than expected return.
I’m sure the Pirates had an offer to Santana for about $3M. They know what they need – they just don’t offer anywhere close to market value
14 15 million for Santana is pushing it. That trade makes even more sense now. Goldschmidt probably wants to win so Pittsburgh looking at 17 18 million for him. They got a fine platoon 1b. Now have get ready to laugh 15 to 20 million to spend elsewhere!!!!!!!
When injuries or fatigue set in they will be sorry that Ortiz is not on the roster. The new guy better hit close to .300 or better for this deal to pan out. Another below .250 hitter with little power is not going to cut it if they plan on contending.
We thought signing Tellez was bargain basement. And before him Santana. And Choi?
This trade? Absolute garbage move from a carpetbagging owner whose only priority is more cash
Can anyone remember a worse off season in franchise history?
Cherington usually looks for the cheapest deal not the best deal. This must be how he keeps his job since most of the prospects he brought in have failed or underachieved. I would not be surprised if he buys his wife gas station roses for Valentine’s Day.
It’s not even 2025 yet. All they need is a pen arm or 2 and a outfielder or 2. Tons of relievers left. When Winker Canha Pillar are off the board I will worry.
Ortiz won’t be missed. Just a guy. Chandler Harrington Ashcraft Burrows Solometo all ready for look. Oviedo replaces Ortiz. Maybe sign a veteran to make Oviedo into the Ortiz role. Start in pen to limit innings ready for rotation when needed.
I’m of the belief Bednar will be fine
But you’re sugar coating things here, my friend
They ignored all top to mid tier talent.
They even ignored Tellez types
This is the worst off season in decades
Decades
The Pirates News we get is that their plaza next to PNC will be ready by opening day
I mean, you’re just being funny, right?
Good. Glad to see a mid budget team trying to stay competitive.
I’m a Yankees fan and I was getting a little annoyed by the lack of action outside of the largest market clubs.
The bid dawgs eat first. Then the rest can come eat up the remaining scraps they didn’t want.
Everything’s falling into place now. Couldn’t figure out why they would let Walker go, now it all makes sense. It also seems more likely that Bregman is gonna have to settle for less than he was asking. Maybe even less than what the Astros offered him.
How does this affect Bregman?
This is just one of the dominoes. Obviously the bigger dominoes fell in Houston by the acquisition of Paredes and Walker. Another domino was the Yankees bringing in Goldie and supposedly connected to Arenado. Polar bear is still out there, so the market for corner bats is definitely shrinking. It appears that the Red Sox and Tigers are the only ones still in on Bregman. I doubt the Tigers will break the bank, and so that would really leave the Red Sox being the only team really in on him. And if they’re bidding against themselves, that’s to their advantage
I wish he would just sign and pick a team. I think it might help get the Arenado trade across the finish line wherever he goes
If Arenado goes to LAA they could surprise and Trout and teammates could grab a WC
If LAA improves their pitching a little I seriously think it is possible.
Somebody like Jose Quintana and a RP Jeff Hoffman
He is going to rake in that lineup.
AZ is a brutal spot for lefties
The tm is solid, lineup is solid
But theres only 2 parks in the majors with deeper RF
Also cleveland got absolutely fleeced
All they get is a Comp B pick, basically 3rd rd
I see some regression given he’s not hitting behind Ramirez.
Not if he’s hitting behind Marte.
That’s a solid need for need trade. Manzardo turned a corner late last season and his combination of defense and contact hitting will make him the more valuable player going forward. For the DBacks, they sacrifice draft pick and a highly replaceable SP in exchange for a 1 year placeholder at first, which buys time to find a long term replacement. Chernoff and Hazen are two of the best in the league at their jobs and this trade shows it.
Manzardo isn’t a good defender. He’s demonstrably worse than Naylor.
The trade still made sense. Largely from a durability standpoint.
I like the deal for Diamondbacks
I hate being a mariners fan so much.
Will be lots of things to hate this year especially with your 3b Moore and his lifetime .177 BA at tmobile. Hahahahaha
Name change to the AquaMen and lots of Jules Verne marketing tie ins.
A giant Time Machine Submarine the Nautilus statue built in the Outfield. Like the giant glove that SF has.
And add a Flipper section everyone seems to like Dolphins,
A Giant Squid or Octopus and Whales
All the Influencers will want to take a Selfie.
Netflix buys the team? I’m trying.
Good add for the Dbacks
This is an absolute joke. A team in dire need of hitting trades one of their best power hitters for scraps? Usually a team tries to upgrade after coming close to the World Series. Not have fire sale and rebuild
Manzardo turned a major corner in the final five weeks of the season. Not only will any dropoff be minimal, his defense and on base skills will actually be an improvement compared to Naylor. No sense in blocking a younger, more well rounded player.
Naylor is more round than any one on any roster
Naylor had one walk in the entire postseason. They need to move on from him.
Now they sign Santana? Again?
this is awesome! extend him Hazen, lock him up
Not until Naylor cuts about 30 lbs. He was pretty fat by the ALCS.
D-Backs vs Mariners world series in 2025? We’d get the world series the Evil Empire robbed us of in 2001.
And Alonso stands alone. Who will pony up for the Polar Bear? The Mets? Pretty sure they would have done it by now? Nationals? Reds? Jays? Red Sox?
About time, Hazen again playing his hand conservatively wait until a run on first baseman then make your move. I like that he received a quality first baseman, may not be Walker like on defense, but does have the offensive tools. Did not have to give up the farm to get him. Good job Mike !!!
The one time the Blue Jays can’t get a deal done with Cleveland it’s for the lefty bat they need. Awesome. Love my GM.
Regression candidate unless he loses 100 pounds. Wouldn’t touch him with a 10 foot pole unless he adheres to conditioning and weight loss goals. Not fat shaming.
You better hope you can find a 10 foot pole, or else Josh Naylor will headbutt you to death…
PS you are wrong, no regression. Well maybe now with the massive dimensions of BOB (Bank One Ballpark) but he will improve. He’s just big-boned
I hope so! It’s not like I wish him any ill will. I just was hoping he wouldn’t end up with the Mariners.
This makes no sense…. he is the straw that stirs the Indians… why would they be shopping him around?
It makes about as much sense as Terry Francona retired due to health and then going a year later to Cincinnati to manage a worse, younger team that’ll give him heart troubles…. maybe he was scared of getting headbutted again by Josh Naylor lol
Wow so AZ gets a younger age 27.5 Josh Naylor as they let C Walker go and get a draft pick(s) back. He number were the best in 2024. For his production RBIs and HRs he doesn’t SO much and his OBP is good.
News is just kind of breaking but I have to believe CLE got more than a pitcher and a draft pick. If they have confidence in their scouts/analytic team they should be able to get a quality player, inexpensive with years of control. It’s kind of the CLE and TB MO
Then CLE signs Santana who took care of his body and had a good 2024
Hopefully a WIN WIN for both teams. CLE has Kyle Manzardo they got from TB who is supposed to have lots of potential and just needs some ABs to start to do damage
I always like rooting for the Underdog.
Somebody PLEASE Beat LAD. Beat LAD
They’re kind of like Mr. Potter from It’s a Wonderful Life
Boo Miserly Scrooge/Grinch like Mr. Potter./LAD
Hooray for George Bailey and Bob Cratchit!!!
Merry Christmas !!!
I’m wondering if Naylor will primarily handle the strong side of a DH platoon with Pavin Smith getting the majority of the 1B ABs.
Angels
Both are left handed hitters, so no platoon there.
@scott I don’t think you understood his point. He didn’t suggest a platoon of them together. It was to have one at DH and the other at 1B. Different than the Joc/Randall platoon Arizona put out at DH in 2024
Spencer, you are correct. I’m thinking Naylor gets the strong side of a DH platoon with Marte, Suarez, Gueriel and Alexander sharing the short side. Smith would be the primary 1B in this scenario. I see below you’re thinking Naylor will be the primary 1B. Either way, Dbacks fans and infielders will miss Walkers glove at 1B.
Look out Dodgers. Arizona so good they don’t need to use Naylor vs LHP.
Dream, the Dbacks are so good, they don’t need to use a hitter with a career .673 OPS vs LHP against… LHP. Please see Joc Pedersen’s and Randall Grichuk’s 2024 platoon splits for a refresher on the benefits of platooning. Or order my new book, “Platooning For Dummies” on Amazon. If you order right now, you can still receive your copy before Christmas.
@Angels No ones buying your book champ. .814 ops vs lhp starters 2023. .825 in 2024. Arizona doesn’t have a brain dead front office like the Angels. They will go with what he is after learning to hit lhp vs his completely irrelevant career numbers. He will be starting vs LHP.
Read the small print, champ.
VS STARTER – batting splits are for the entire game when the starter was LH or RH. These splits include any subsequent plate appearances against a reliever regardless of their throwing hand.
I recommend using splits vs LHP, not LH Starters. It’s covered in Chapter Two of my book. Again, if you order right now, you can receive your copy by Christmas.
Hazen commended Naylor’s 1B ability and desire to continue getting better. He’s not going to be a DH very often I’d expect. Not sure what happens with Pavin now though.
And the mariners grabbed …..
They grabbed themselves and scratched their asses, like they’ve done all winter…nothing. Mariners organization is a complete disaster. Sell the team Stanton!
more consequences for losing to the Scum
Feels like this is Santana’s 5th stint with Cleveland. It’s only his 3 and first as a Guardian.
Soon to be true: Josh Naylor = Rowdy Tellez
That’s it for Naylor? Cashman crapped the bed. Would have much rather had this kid than a 37 year old Goldy
Cleveland was never going to trade with the Yankees.
So Pirates never even asked for Naylor if that’s all it took. More proof that all they care about is low payroll and player control. All they gave up for Horwitz, they probably could’ve had them both. Wouldn’t care if they were saving money for a power hitting corner outfielder but we all know that ain’t happening.
A for Arizona. They couldn’t develop Cecconi. Just cost them a draft pick. Might do a QO and get a better draft pick.
C for Cleveland. Interesting arm to work with. Got the draft pick. Instantly replaced Naylor with Santana. Understandable move.
Next move for Hazen is a true Closer
DH seems the bigger hole to me. I know they’ve said they want a real closer, but running with JMart or Puk or Ginkel or Drey is better than trusting Blaze has any MLB caliber ability.
I don’t know that DH is the larger hole, considering that it’s now Naylor/Smith on the long side of 1B/DH situations. The Snakes just need some RHH bats, and platoon ones at that.
It’s not the most likely outcome but Grichuk is still on the market, and as Lawlar gets time in the lineup Suarez/Marte should see more reps at DH (with some 1B reps going to Geno)
There are not too many RHH bats currently on the 40-man beyond Alexander and Tawa; for as bad as Blaze was (and he was certainly terrible at times) that was still only 185 PAs at age 25, and he still has a number of intriguing peripherals.
I maintain that he should get reps in the OF and be restricted heavily to batting against LHPs, because he seems far more likely to supply value in that role over an everyday IF; Tawa projects decently in a similar role.
In an ideal world, they’re only depth, but getting another backend bullpen arm would seem to be a bit more pressing
Spencer and Highheat,
It’s still possible that Hazen will go after both a Closer and a RHH, though not necessarily strictly a DH. But Closer will definitely be the priority.
With the Naylor signing, there is enough offense, just not enough offense against LH pitching. That’s the real hole the Walker loss created for AZ.
But in 2025, pitching will decide the Dback’s fate. The entire staff needs to rebound, AND there must be certainty at the back end of the bullpen.
Preller traded Naylor for Tayler Trammell. That was not a good trade
Worse than trading for a overrated prospect was trading for a pitcher due for tj surgery. Clevinger trade.
Slade Cecconi 7 losses in 77 innings with a 666 ERA.
A big reason they didn’t win one more game.
Was one of the pitchers that didn’t want to hear any Roger Beshens Football Slider advice. An elite team can’t afford one pitcher not buying into the RB FS Club.
That ERA tho..
Interesting…. I had heard Toronto was interested
Not going to lie. Pretty disappointed the Mariners couldn’t beat this offer. Walker, Naylor, Goldschmidt, Santana, Parades,Bellinger, Parades, Casas. They missed on all these guys crazy.
I thought AZ would’ve traded Jordan Montgomery by now.
Didn’t include Jordan Lawler?!
This is great news for Tigers fans as he’s been a Tiger killer. But Cleveland always has someone else to step up and take over. They are one of the best at developing players. Minnesota as well.
Dbacks signing Naylor makes so much more sense than signing Goldschmidt or Santana. If Hazen can’t sign Naylor to an extension (which wouldn’t have made sense for the aging Goldschmidt or Santana), there is a possibility Naylor has a good enough season in AZ to merit a QO. Neither Goldschmidt nor Santana would have netted the Dbacks another compensation round draft pick. So the age factor was the key to Hazen’s move.
In order, my prediction for the Dbacks search for a Closer is:
1. Miller, trade with the A’s
2. Finnegan, trade with the Nats
3. FA Kirby Yates
4. FA Kenley Jansen
I wouldn’t mind either Miller or Finnegan, but I expect neither is truly available to Arizona. Miller will cost an arm and a leg from 2026 and beyond, which basically negates the value of getting multiple years from him. And DC is trying to compete like AZ did in 2023, so Finnegan’s cost proabably prohibitive until the deadline too.
As for Kirby or Jansen….Just stick with in-house options at that point. Either is a fine addition in a mid-bullpen role, but I trust Martinez, Puk and Ginkel more right now in the 9th. Probably Thompson, Mantiply and maybe even Drey too.
Deeds is a terrible writer. “Disastrous as his 2024 season was” is NOT PROPER ENGLISH. You can’t just leave “as” out at the start of the sentence because you feel like it. It’s not optional, and neither is proper grammar.