The Red Sox are eyeing Josh Naylor as a potential first base upgrade this winter, and it’s easy to see why the fit makes sense.
At 40-39, Boston’s sitting in prime position for their first playoff berth since 2021. More importantly, they’re building something sustainable here – and this offseason could finally be when management opens the checkbook.
First base remains a clear area for improvement, which is where Naylor comes in. Conor Ryan from Boston.com floated the Arizona first baseman as a target, and the logic’s sound.
“A cheaper alternative to Alonso, Naylor has established himself as one of the more underrated hitters in baseball over the last few seasons,” Ryan wrote. “In 2023, he batted .308 with 17 home runs and 97 RBI with the Cleveland Guardians, following that up with 31 home runs and 108 RBI in 2024 with Cleveland.”
Those aren’t fluky numbers either. Naylor’s batting .300 this season with Arizona and he’s on pace for 19 homers and 104 RBI. That’s three straight years of consistent production from a guy who’s just hitting his prime at 28.
The 2024 All-Star made his first midsummer classic appearance last year with Cleveland, but his trajectory suggests that won’t be his last. What makes this different is the price point – Naylor’s market value sits around $20 million annually, which is considerably less than what Pete Alonso’s going to command.
Sure, his glove isn’t going to win any Gold Gloves. But when you’re talking about a lineup upgrade at a position of weakness, production trumps defense every time.
The way I see it, Naylor represents exactly the type of move Boston should be making – proven production at a reasonable cost while they continue building around their young core. They’re not going to fix everything in one winter, but adding a consistent middle-of-the-order bat would go a long way toward making this playoff push sustainable.
All things considered, it seems like the kind of signing that makes too much sense for both sides to pass up.
