Just days after completing the biggest trade of the 2025 MLB season, the San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox could now be competing to add All-Star slugger Josh Naylor before the trade deadline.
Over the weekend, the Red Sox surprised many around the league when they decided to trade top star Rafael Devers two years after giving him a massive 10-year, $313 million contract. Just as surprising was the Giants being the team that landed the talented hitter after recent rumors suggested they may not make a major move this summer.
The assumption to some is that Boston is waving the white flag on their 2025 campaign and looking ahead to 2026. However, MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand believes the Red Sox will actually be competing with their recent trade partner for an All-Star slugger who could soon be available on the trade market.
“Arizona has climbed back into the playoff race with a good start to June. Leaving the Diamondbacks in striking distance of a Wild Card spot and still in the conversation in the NL West,” Feinsand writes. “But Josh Naylor is one of more than a half-dozen impending free agents on the roster. And given that a number of teams could use a big corner-infield bat, it’s possible that Arizona could move Naylor (or Eugenio Suárez) and his expiring contract to address other needs.”
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Josh Naylor stats (2025): .305 AVG, .358 OBP, .474 SLG, .832 OPS, 9 HR, 49 RBI, 37 R
Feinsand believes the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners will also be potential landing spots for the former Cleveland Guardians star.
Rafael Devers is a possible option for the Giants to upgrade first base after they have not gotten much out of the spot offensively this season. However, if the former Red Sox star would prefer to stay at DH for the rest of the year, Naylor would be a great addition to further strengthen the batting order for the second half.
The last straw for Boston when it comes to Devers was his refusal to play first after Tristan Casas went down with a season-ending injury last month. So they have been looking for a player to fill that void for quite some time. Naylor could do that while also not blocking Casas at afirst when he returns next season. Naylor will be a free agent after the 2025 season.
After earning his journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos served as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sucka … More about Jason Burgos
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