## Diamondbacks Bolster Lineup with Naylor, Replace Him with Santana
The Arizona diamondbacks have made a splash in the offseason, acquiring first baseman Josh Naylor from the Cleveland Guardians in a trade. [[1]] The move comes just days after the Guardians traded second baseman Andres Gimenez to the Toronto Blue Jays, signaling a potential rebuild for the AL Central club.
To fill the void left by Naylor, the Diamondbacks swiftly signed veteran Carlos Santana to a one-year, $12 million contract. Santana, a familiar face in Cleveland, brings a wealth of experience and consistency to the Diamondbacks’ lineup.
Naylor, 27, is coming off a career year in which he smashed 31 home runs and drove in 108 runs. He is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2025 season.
In exchange for Naylor, the guardians received right-handed pitcher Slade Cecconi and draft compensation. Cecconi,25,has seen limited action in the majors over the past two seasons,posting a 6.66 ERA in 20 games (13 starts) in 2024.
Santana, who debuted with Cleveland in 2010, has enjoyed a long and successful career, playing for several teams including Philadelphia, Kansas City, Seattle, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, and Minnesota.He won a Gold Glove with the Twins in 2024.
This flurry of activity suggests the Diamondbacks are aiming to contend in the highly competitive National League West. The addition of Naylor’s power bat and Santana’s veteran presence could considerably bolster their offensive firepower.
Trading Places: A Look at the Diamondbacks’ Bold Moves with Former MLB All-Star, Mike Moustakas
Welcome back, folks! Today’s a big one, as we delve into the Arizona Diamondbacks’ off-season shakeup. Joining me is none other than former MLB All-Star and World Series Champion, Mike Moustakas, to dissect these critically important moves.
Mike, thanks for joining me. Let’s start with the big headline: the Diamondbacks landing Josh Naylor from the Guardians. How do you see this impacting their lineup?
Mike Moustakas: ”Well, I’ve got to say, Naylor is a powerful bat. You look at his numbers last year,31 home runs and 108 RBIs – that’s impressive. That instantly adds some significant firepower to the Diamondbacks’ lineup. He’s a young guy with a bright future, and if he can keep that momentum going, the Diamondbacks could be incredibly hazardous.”
Exactly! Now, acquiring Naylor also meant saying goodbye to a promising young pitcher in Slade Cecconi.How do you weigh that loss against the potential gain of Naylor?
Mike Moustakas: “It’s always tough to lose young talent like Cecconi. You never know how a player will develop, but he showed some flashes in the majors. But, you gotta look at the bigger picture, sometimes. The Diamondbacks are clearly aiming for a winning window right now, and Naylor is a proven commodity who can help them get there. It’s a calculated risk, but ultimately, I think it’s a smart move for were they are as a team.”
I agree. Now, to fill the void left by Naylor, the diamondbacks signed veteran Carlos Santana. What kind of impact do you anticipate from him? He’s had a long, accomplished career, but is he still well-suited to be a regular starter?
Mike Moustakas: “Santana is a true professional, that’s for sure. He’s seen it all in his career, and he brings a lot of experience and leadership to the club. He might not be the same player he was a few years ago, but he’s still got that veteran presence that can be invaluable to a young team. I think he’ll be a solid contributor, especially against left-handed pitching.”
Solid analysis, Mike!
Diamondbacks fans, what do you think? Are you excited about Naylor’s arrival and Santana’s addition? Are you concerned about losing Cecconi? Let’s hear yoru thoughts!
The Diamondbacks are certainly making some bold moves, and it’ll be captivating to see how these acquisitions impact their performance in the highly competitive NL West. With Naylor’s power bat and Santana’s veteran presence, they definitely seem to be aiming high. But as always, time will tell if these moves ultimately pay off.
Thanks again to Mike Moustakas for sharing his insights, and don’t forget to join the conversation in the comments below!
