PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired All-Star first baseman Josh Naylor on Saturday in a trade that sent right-hander Slade Cecconi to the Cleveland Guardians.
The Guardians also received a competitive balance Round B draft pick in 2025.
Naylor, 27, made his first All-Star Game this season and hit 31 home runs and a career-high 108 RBIs. He has been Cleveland’s starting first baseman in each of the last three seasons and will become a free agent after the 2025 season.
The Diamondbacks were looking for a first baseman after Christian Walker signed with the Houston Astros on Friday.
Cecconi, 25, has spent parts of the last two seasons in the major leagues. He went 2-7 with a 6.66 ERA last season, pitching in 20 games, including 13 starts.
The Guardians quickly filled the void left by Naylor, agreeing to veteran free agent Carlos Santana on a one-year contract.
Santana spent 10 seasons with Cleveland early in his career during two stints from 2010-17 and 2019-20, starting at catcher before moving to first. The switch-hitting deal is pending a physical, said a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not finalized.
The 38-year-old played for the Minnesota Twins last season, hitting .238 with 23 home runs and 71 RBIs.
The Naylor trade is the second significant move this winter by the AL Central champions, who dealt the Gold Glove second baseman to Toronto in a three-team trade. The Guardians also acquired right-hander Luis Ortiz from the Pirates.