“Cleveland Guardians Top Offseason Trade Chip: Josh Naylor's Potential Move”

The Cleveland Guardians are considering trading fan favorite Josh Naylor, who has emerged as the team's top trade activist. Naylor hit a career-best 31 homers last season and has maintained a solid .319 on-base percentage over the past three years. Despite his offensive contributions, Naylor's subpar defensive play at first base is a concern. The Guardians are looking to bolster their roster, particularly in starting pitching, and could use Naylor's projected $12 million 2025 salary in potential trades. Given the competition from prospect Kyle Manzardo, trading Naylor over the course of the offseason could be a strategic move.

Through the numbers

• Josh Naylor hit a career-high 31 home runs this season.
• His 2023 stats also included 108 runs batted in.

Yes but

While Naylor's offensive performance has been outstanding, concerns about his defensive abilities and the emergence of Manzardo complicate the decision to trade him. Some argue that it could be a challenge to replace Naylor's performance given Manzardo's recent performance.

state of affairs

• The Guardians are reconsidering their squad composition and contract situation this offseason.
• Shane Bieber, Matthew Boyd and Alex Cobb are expected to become unrestricted free agents, which will impact trade decisions.

What's next?

As the offseason progresses, the Guardians will likely weigh offers for Naylor, especially if they decide to retain other key pitchers. The strategic direction they choose regarding their expiring contracts will have a significant impact on the changes in the squad.

Conclusion

Trading Josh Naylor could give the Guardians needed pitching depth, but they must find a balance between retaining strong offensive players and making smart financial decisions given the dynamics of player contracts.