Weighing the pros and cons of a potential Christian Walker replacement at first base.
This article is part of a series evaluating potential free agent and trade acquisitions for the Arizona Diamondbacks entering the 2025 season.
He might not have hit for the highest average, but it's hard to argue with the raw production, as well as the energy and intensity he brought to a Guardians club that won 92 games and the AL Central.Naylor is a power-hitter by nature. Since he began taking full-time duties in 2022, he's hit 68 homers, good for a .465 slug and a .198 ISO .
Naylor, despite being a power-hitter with a .243 average, only struck out 16.6% of the time last season . Surprisingly enough, that rate was actually the highest it'd been in his career since 2021. He also called Cleveland "unsettled" in center and right field. With regard to a Naylor trade, I would be surprised if Arizona could get it done without parting with one of their young outfielders.
It's not bad value by any means, but Naylor is also entering his final year of arbitration. Arizona would, after just one year, have to think about extending or replacing their first baseman again, and the extension cost would be lofty, barring severe regression at the plate.Naylor has significant platoon splits. In 2024, he hit .251 with a .474 slug against right-hand pitching, but a mere .224 against southpaws.
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