MLB Trade Rumors: Josh Naylor Linked to Surprising Team

As a first-time All-Star and coming off career highs with 31 homers and 108 RBIs, you'd think that the Cleveland Guardians wouldn't want to part with first baseman Josh Naylor.

But then, that wouldn't be taking into consideration the small-market Guardians' long-time practice of trading strong young players before they become too expensive. And while he made $6.4 million in 2024, that will double in his final year of team control in 2025.

A surprising team, however, is emerging as a possible trade partner for the 27-year-old slugger, as Danny Demilio of Pittsburgh Baseball Now feels that the fellow small-market Pittsburgh Pirates could make a run at adding Naylor.

Demilio notes that the left-handed power hitter, over the last three seasons among AL first basemen, ranks second in slugging percentage, home runs and RBIs, and is fourth in OPS.

445 feet, 109.6 MPH 😤

Josh Naylor has his 30th home run of the season! pic.twitter.com/CQCgRzZp5a
— MLB (@MLB) September 18, 2024

He adds that the right-field porch at PNC Park would be ideal for Naylor to launch drives over.

The Pirates are in desperate need of a big offensive boost like Naylor can provide, and if they're able to sign him to an extension (the only way Demilio sees this trade happening), he could be their first baseman of the future, as the farm system is bereft of prospects at the position.