Arizona Diamonds Secure First Baseman Naylor, Reinforcing Urgent Approach
Arizona Diamonds Secure First Baseman Naylor, Reinforcing Urgent Approach
The Arizona Diamondbacks initiated their major off-season move by securing powerful hitter Josh Naylor, a move designed to bridge the chasm at first base and emphasize their present-day ambitions.
Naylor surpassed his personal bests with 31 home runs and 105 RBIs, solidifying his status as an All-Star for the first time with Cleveland in 2024. His arrival serves as a replacement for free-agent departing Christian Walker, who officially signed a three-year, $60 million contract with Houston on Friday, despite the financial specifics yet to be disclosed.
Prior to this acquisition, the Diamondbacks had shown interest in veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. However, Goldschmidt sealed a one-year, $12.5 million deal with the New York Yankees on Saturday, making Naylor an increasingly appealing candidate (should he not already have been).
General Manager Mike Hazen shared this insight when discussing their first base prospects: "We've maintained an interest in this entire market. Trades are challenging, so I can't predict if I'll be able to close any deals. Plus, the uncertainty in free agency has lingered. So, we continued to explore our options."
The Diamonds believe their time is now
At just 27, Naylor has another year of super-two arbitration eligibility remaining and is projected to earn over $12 million in 2025, potentially reaching upward of $14.2 million, according to Spotrac.
A handful of top-tier Diamondbacks players, including Naylor, will become eligible for free agency following the season, if CEO Ken Kendrick and Hazen don't intervene to maintain their recent success.
In 2023, the Diamondbacks achieved an impressive 83 victories and reached the World Series, before losing out to the Texas Rangers. Despite an impressive six-game improvement in 2024, finishing 89-73, the team failed to make the postseason due to tiebreaker losses to both the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves.
Following the end of the regular season, the Diamondbacks swiftly exercised the $7 million option for right-hander Merrill Kelly and extends third baseman Eugenio Suarez's $15 million contract. Left-hander Jordan Montgomery had already opted for his $22.5 million player option. Montgomery endured a mediocre season, finishing with a 6.23 ERA.
Arizona shipped off right-hander Slade Cecconi and a competitive balance Round B pick to Cleveland in exchange for Naylor. Cecconi, a first-round pick from the 2020 draft, struggled in his major league debut, posting a 6.66 ERA in 20 appearances, making him a potential contender for the fifth starter spot in the rotation behind Gallen, Kelly, Pfaadt, Rodriguez, and Nelson.
Naylor adds another potent hitter to the roster
Naylor bolsters a lineup that already includes Suarez, switch-hitting second baseman Ketel Marte, outfielders Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Corbin Carroll, all of whom hit at least 22 home runs in 2024. Marte, who led the team with 36 homers, Suarez with 30, and Walker with 26, will all be accompanied by Naylor's strength at the plate.
A key statistic for Naylor in the 2024 season was his 1.5 WAR (Wins Above Replacement), and he possesses a 5.8 WAR in the previous three years, since becoming a mainstay in Cleveland. He registered 105 strikeouts in 633 plate appearances, a career-high, but he's a force to be reckoned with when at bat, as reflected in his 89.9-mph average exit velocity (12th among major league first baseman), with free agent Pete Alonso (89.8 mph) and Dodgers' Freddie Freeman (89.4 mph) trailing behind.
Naylor's 16.6% strikeout rate in the 2024 season made him one of the most efficient left-handed hitters in the league.
Hazen expressed confidence in Naylor's suitability within their lineup: "We believe he will fit in quite nicely in our middle of the order, notably with his batting power. He's a skilled hitter with exceptional work ethic. We see him as a great fit for our team culture."
The Diamondbacks emerged as the leaders in runs scored (886) and on-base percentage (.337) in the 2024 season, but they sought to reinforce their offensive capabilities following the departure of Joc Pederson and Randal Grichuk to free agency, who combined for 25 homers and 110 RBIs. Pederson and Grichuk are still unsigned, and the Diamondbacks might continue to explore the options in this market.
- With the departure of Christian Walker to Houston, Josh Naylor's arrival serves as a key addition for the Arizona Diamondbacks, aiming to fill the void at first base.
- Ketel Marte, Eugenio Suarez, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and Corbin Carroll, who all had impressive home run totals in 2024, will be joined by Naylor's potent hitting ability in the Diamondbacks' lineup.
- Despite the financial commitment to free agent Christian Walker, the Diamondbacks pursued both Paul Goldschmidt and Josh Naylor to bolster their first base options, showing their commitment to their present-day ambitions.
- General Manager Mike Hazen recognized the challenging nature of trades and the uncertainty in free agency, but expressed confidence in Naylor's ability to fit into their middle of the order due to his batting power and exceptional work ethic.
- The New York Yankees secured the services of Paul Goldschmidt instead, leaving Naylor as an increasingly valuable option for the Diamondbacks and potentially enhancing their offensive capabilities for the upcoming MLB season.