MLB Trade Rumors: 3 Teams To Be In Pursuit of Josh Naylor

After tearing the cover off the ball with the Cleveland Guardians in 2024, Josh Naylor was shipped out to Arizona to join the Diamondbacks for this year, as his contract is set to expire after the season. He's having another fine season, batting .287 with a .799 OPS, though his home run totals are down a bit, with just six thus far.

Naylor belted a career-high 31 homers to go along with 108 RBIs last season with Cleveland, giving him 205 ribbies in his last two seasons, while with 33 so far this year, he's on pace for exactly 100 this year.

He'll be a much sought-after unrestricted free agent next winter, and according to former MLB GM and current insider for The Athletic, Jim Bowden, there are three teams in particular that will be very interested in Naylor this coming offseason.

Seattle Mariners

The Mariners have had trouble finding a true solution at first base for the past couple of seasons, and Naylor would be a good get for them to settle the position down, and add another impact bat to the lineup. They didn't spend in free agency this past winter, but perhaps 2025 will find the pursestrings loosened.

Texas Rangers

Jake Burger is struggling at first base this season in Texas and they may be regretting trading Nathaniel Lowe this past winter to Washington. He had put up a 122 OPS+ in his four years with the Rangers, and was a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glover in his years at first base for them. They could use another impact bat there, and Naylor should be of interest.

Will the Arizona Diamondbacks re-sign pending UFA Josh Naylor?

The D-Backs were obviously interested enough in Naylor to trade for him, so it makes sense they would likely want to keep him if he continues to put up solid numbers. He batted .308 two years ago with Cleveland, then was an All-Star in 2024 with his big power numbers, and has sort of mixed those seasons together this year, batting .287 for the Snakes with a .799 OPS, a 122 OPS+, and, as mentioned above, is on pace for 100 RBIs.