Potential Pirates Trade Targets: Does Josh Naylor Make Sense?

This is one in a series of examining potential trade targets for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2024-25 offseason.

Josh Naylor would give the Pittsburgh Pirates exactly what they need on offense.

Naylor packs a punch. The 27-year-old slugged a career-high 31 home runs and eclipsed the century mark for the first time with 108 RBIs this past season with the Cleveland Guardians. For the first time in his six-year-career, he was named an All-Star.

The 2015 first-round draft pick carved out a starting role in Cleveland in 2022 and has been a strong performer with the bat ever since. In 395 games over those three seasons, Naylor carries a .267/.330/.465 batting line with 86 doubles, 68 home runs and 284 RBIs.

Among American League first basemen since the start of 2022, Naylor ranks second in slugging percentage, home runs and RBIs and is fourth in OPS and doubles.

As a left-handed hitter, his power would easily translate to the hitter-friendly right field wall at PNC Park. His youth — Naylor doesn’t turn 28 until June — should also appeal to the Pirates.

Given all that, does it make sense for the Pirates to try and trade for him?

While there’s no question Naylor would provide an upgrade to a lackluster lineup, Naylor is only under club control for one more season before hitting free agency.

Naylor is due an estimated $12 million in his final year of salary arbitration this winter. Though the Pirates shouldn’t balk at adding an All-Star caliber player at that price, doing so for one year alone would be a head-scratcher.

Despite their belief, it’s hard to envision the Pirates contending next season after finishing in the familiar cellar of the National League Central in 2024.

The only way it makes sense for the Pirates to acquire Naylor this offseason is if they are confident they can work out an extension with him.

Looking at the Pirates’ roster and their minor-league system, there isn’t a player who projects to be the first baseman of both the present and the future — barring a potential Bryan Reynolds position change at some point.

But Naylor would give them an option to not only be a long-term solution at first base, but anchor the middle of the Pirates’ lineup for years to come. Only if an extension came with a trade, that is.