Two more potential Mariners first-base targets off the board

Dec 21, 2024, 5:58 PM

Josh Naylor bats for the Cleveland Guardians in a 2024 game. (Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

(Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

BY DAVID BRANDT

The Associated Press

Two more potential first-base targets for the Seattle Mariners are off the board.

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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, who have remodeled the right side of their infield this winter, also received a competitive balance Round B draft pick in 2025.

Cleveland then moved quickly to fill the hole left by Naylor, agreeing with veteran free agent first baseman Carlos Santana on a one-year, $12 million contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

On Thursday, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi reported on social media that Naylor had been “mentioned in trade talks” between the Mariners and Guardians. And last month, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reported that the Mariners had expressed interest in re-uniting with Santana, who spent the second half of the 2022 season with Seattle.

The Naylor trade is the second significant move in weeks by the AL Central champion Guardians, who dealt Gold Glove second baseman Andrés Giménez to Toronto in a three-team swap. The Guardians also acquired right-hander Luis Ortiz from the Pirates.

The 27-year-old Naylor made his first All-Star team this season and hit a career-high 31 homers with 108 RBIs. He’s been Cleveland’s starting first baseman in each of the past three seasons and will become a free agent after the 2025 season.

Over the last 24 hours:

Christian Walker to Houston
Paul Goldschmidt to the New York Yankees
Josh Naylor to Arizona
Carlos Santana to Cleveland

1B still available in free agency: Pete Alonso, Anthony Rizzo, Josh Bell, Ty France. In trades: LaMonte Wade Jr. and Nathaniel Lowe.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 21, 2024

The Diamondbacks were in the market for a first baseman after Christian Walker signed with the Houston Astros on Friday. Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said Naylor’s presence in the middle of the batting order should fit well with Eugenio Suarez, Ketel Marte and Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

The 25-year-old Cecconi has spent parts of the past two seasons in the big leagues. He had a 2-7 record with a 6.66 ERA last season, pitching in 20 games, including 13 starts.

Santana spent 10 seasons with Cleveland early his career over two stretches, starting out as a catcher before moving to first. The switch-hitter’s deal is pending a physical, said a person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal wasn’t finalized.

Santana was one of the club’s most popular players from 2010-17 before signing as a free agent with Philadelphia. However, his time with the Phillies didn’t go as expected and he re-signed with the Guardians in 2019 for two seasons.

Santana brings leadership and experience to a Cleveland team that won 92 games and ran away with its division last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt. The Guardians beat Detroit in the AL Division Series before losing the ALCS to the New York Yankees in five games.

The 38-year-old played for the Minnesota Twins last season, batting .238 with 23 homers and 71 RBIs. He’s also been with Kansas City, Seattle, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee.

Naylor was a solid run producer and protected All-Star José Ramírez in Cleveland’s lineup. But his fielding was often suspect, and the Guardians have some other options they’d like to try going forward at first, including Kyle Manzardo.

Naylor’s departure also means he’ll no longer be teammates with younger brother, Bo, Cleveland’s primary catcher.

Seattle Sports staff made minor additions to this post.