D-backs Land 1B Josh Naylor from Guardians as Carlos Santana Joins to Fill Void, Sources Reveal

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks have acquired All-Star first baseman Josh Naylor from the Cleveland Guardians in a trade involving right-hander Slade Cecconi. The Guardians will also receive a competitive balance Round B draft pick in 2025 as part of the deal.

Naylor, a key player for the Guardians, made his first All-Star team this season, hitting a career-high 31 home runs and driving in 108 runs. He has been Cleveland’s starting first baseman for the past three seasons and is set to become a free agent after the 2025 season.

This transaction follows a busy period for the Guardians, who previously traded Gold Glove second baseman Andrés Giménez to Toronto in a three-team deal and added right-hander Luis Ortiz from the Pirates.

For Cleveland, filling Naylor’s position was a priority, prompting them to agree to a one-year, $12 million contract with veteran Carlos Santana. His return to the Guardians marks a reunion after spending ten seasons with the team earlier in his career.

Arizona sought a first baseman after Christian Walker signed with the Houston Astros. General manager Mike Hazen expressed optimism that Naylor will complement existing hitters like Eugenio Suarez, Ketel Marte, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Cecconi, now heading to Cleveland, has seen some action in the majors over the last two seasons, finishing with a 2-7 record and a 6.66 ERA in 20 games last season.

Santana’s deal is pending a physical, as he looks to bring leadership and experience to the Guardians, who won 92 games last season. The team successfully advanced past the AL Division Series but lost to the New York Yankees in the AL Championship Series.

While Naylor’s offensive contributions were significant, questions remained about his defensive capabilities at first base. The Guardians are considering other options for the position, including promising prospect Kyle Manzardo.

The trade also means Naylor will no longer share a team with his brother, Bo, who is Cleveland’s primary catcher. This marks a notable shift for both the player and the organization.

Phoenix is home to multiple professional sports teams, including the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, NBA’s Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, and the MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks. The city also hosts a variety of major sporting events throughout the year, highlighting its status as a hub for athletic competition.