After the New York Yankees opted not to pick up their team option on veteran first baseman Anthony Rizzo, the team has been searching for a replacement who can maintain offensive production—potentially at a lower cost. Rizzo was set to earn $17 million in 2025.
According to longtime MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Yankees are “considering” a move to acquire a replacement first baseman who would cost $14.2 million next season while providing a significant boost in production compared to Rizzo’s struggles in 2024.
However, if the Yankees proceed with the deal, they would likely need to offer the new first baseman a contract extension, which is projected to be around $100 million over five years.
Yankees ‘Considering’ Deal for Josh Naylor
The player reportedly drawing interest from the Yankees is 27-year-old left-handed slugger Josh Naylor of the Cleveland Guardians. Jon Heyman did not speculate on what type of trade package the Yankees might offer Cleveland, a team they defeated in the 2024 American League Championship Series to reach the World Series.
One earlier proposal, suggested by Yankees analysts, included sending Cleveland the organization’s fifth-ranked prospect, Will Warren. Drafted in the eighth round in 2021, Warren made his MLB debut in 2024 but struggled in five starts and one relief appearance, posting a 10.32 ERA over 22 innings, allowing 26 earned runs and five home runs.
Naylor is entering the final year of his contract, meaning he could be a one-year rental unless the Yankees negotiate an extension. This limited control might lower the trade cost.
How does Naylor stack up against Rizzo? Based on 2024 statistics from Stathead, Naylor offers a clear upgrade, at least when comparing their respective performances last season.
Naylor Would be a Significant Upgrade
Josh Naylor posted a 1.5 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in 2024—not an extraordinary figure but significantly better than Anthony Rizzo’s 0.2 WAR. Naylor also recorded an OPS+ of 118, compared to Rizzo’s below-average 81.
For context, OPS+ measures a player’s On-base Plus Slugging percentage relative to the league average, with 100 set as average. A score above 100 indicates better-than-average performance, while a score below 100 is worse.
Despite his stocky frame—standing 5’11” and weighing 250 pounds—Naylor managed to steal six bases in 2024, while Rizzo recorded none. Over his six-year career, Naylor has 25 stolen bases. More notably, Naylor slugged 31 home runs last season, compared to just eight for Rizzo.
While Naylor offers strong value as a trade target, the Yankees’ primary focus remains on Cody Bellinger of the Cubs. However, according to Heyman, the two sides are still far apart on the terms of a potential deal for the veteran.
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