The Milwaukee Brewers currently do not have an everyday first baseman. Jake Bauers was brought in via trade after the departures of Carlos Santana and Rowdy Tellez, but a starting gig is not a guarantee. In the minor leagues Tyler Black could factor in, but he currently remains off of the 40-man roster.
If the Brewers are not interested in reuniting with Carlos Santana, or bringing in any of the other free agents, they could look to the trade market to upgrade at first base. One team that currently has a first baseman being mentioned in trade rumors is the Cleveland Guardians.
Milwaukee Brewers-Cleveland Guardians trade could address Crews hole at first base.
According to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer Josh Naylor has been getting interest from teams. During Winter Meetings the Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, and Pittsburgh Pirates were all linked as teams expressing interest, but that’s not to say that Milwaukee isn’t considering him.
Josh Naylor, a 26 year old left-handed hitter with two years of club control remaining, has put together back to back solid seasons at the plate. Over the past two years he has hit 37 home runs, collected 176 RBI, has a .807 OPS, and 127 OPS+. His estimated salary in 2024 is $7.2 million.
If the Guardians are listening to offers for him they should be doing so knowing that right now his trade value is currently at its highest. A trade package would be costly and likely would require MLB ready contributors in return.
Cleveland’s biggest needs include offensive upgrades as well as infielders. After Josh Naylor they do have intriguing replacement first base options in Kyle Manzardo and Deyvison De Los Santos, but losing a one-two punch of Josh Naylor and Jose Ramirez in the lineup would be hard to replace.
If Milwaukee was going to pursue Josh Naylor they would have to be willing to sacrifice some talented players. Brice Turang and Tyler Black are two infielders that come to mind, but they also have a surplus of outfielders with years of control remaining. A one for one swap including any of the above mentioned players probably would not be enough to get a deal done and Milwaukee would be looking at giving up a few players in a potential deal.
Explore the potential trade dynamics between the Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Guardians, including the buzz around Josh Naylor. For more in-depth analysis and the latest updates on the Brewers, head over to our Milwaukee Brewers News section, where we cover all the breaking stories and developments.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How good is Josh Naylor?
Josh Naylor stands out as a top performer in baseball, boasting a robust .310 or better batting average coupled with over 90 RBI in the season. This achievement places him among an exclusive group of elite hitters like Corey Seager and Mookie Betts, underlining his exceptional skill level.
Are the two Naylors on the Guardians related?
Yes, Josh Naylor and Bo Naylor are siblings who both play for the Cleveland Guardians in Major League Baseball (MLB). This Canadian duo shares not only a familial bond but also a professional affiliation with the same MLB team.
