New York Yankees- As the 2025 MLB season approaches, both the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians are gearing up for another competitive campaign. The two teams reached the AL Championship Series in 2024, with the Yankees emerging victorious, but the Guardians demonstrated their potential, proving they are a rising force in the American League. Despite their status as contenders, the two teams may soon find themselves in trade discussions as each looks to address specific roster needs.

The Yankees, in particular, are actively seeking a solution at first base after allowing Anthony Rizzo to depart via free agency. With several potential options on the table, including trade talks with the Chicago Cubs for Cody Bellinger, New York is also evaluating other possibilities. One name that has come up in recent discussions is Cleveland’s Josh Naylor, who could become a key target for the Yankees as they look to fill the first base spot for 2025. MLB insider Jon Heyman reports that New York is considering Naylor along with other first base options like Pete Alonso, Christian Walker, Carlos Santana, and Nate Lowe.

Naylor, who had a breakout 2024 season with 31 home runs and 108 RBIs, is currently under contract with Cleveland through 2025, which makes him a potentially expendable asset for the Guardians. Cleveland is reportedly open to trading Naylor, particularly since he will be a free agent after the 2025 season, and the team needs to address other areas of their roster, including starting pitching and outfield depth.

For the Yankees, a deal involving Naylor could make sense. While they have some interesting prospects and major league-ready players who could be enticing to Cleveland, such as some of their minor league talent, the Yankees are also focused on retooling their roster for a championship push. Cleveland, on the other hand, is looking to build for the future, and trading Naylor could help them bolster their pitching staff or acquire a much-needed outfielder.

The question remains whether a trade between these two AL powerhouses will materialize in the coming weeks, but as both teams look to fill key gaps, Josh Naylor could be a pivotal piece in this evolving trade landscape.