ESPN: The Yankees sought after controversial first baseman from an AL East rival.

ESPN’s Jorge Castillo claims that the Yankees were interested in the power-hitting first baseman Josh Naylor before to his trade to the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 2024, Naylor appeared to be the ideal addition to a Yankees squad that needed consistency at first base after having a career-best season with the Cleveland Guardians.

Everyone, of course, recalls the day Naylor hit a home run off Gerrit Cole a few years back and rocked the baby. In the end, the Yankees were the ones who had the final laugh.

Last season, the 27-year-old lefty slugger hit.243/.320/.456 with a career-high 31 home runs and 108 RBIs in 152 games. Given Yankee Stadium’s short porch in right field, his power and contact would have been a great addition to the Yankees’ lineup.

The Diamondbacks, coming off a World Series triumph, stepped up and got him after losing Christian Walker in free agency, but New York finally passed despite the apparent fit because they were hesitant to offer up more prospects in a deal.

Goldschmidt Was the More Secure Option
The Yankees decided to sign the experienced slugger Paul Goldschmidt to a $12.5 million contract rather than parting with youthful prospects. Goldschmidt’s leadership and experience provide a degree of consistency that the Yankees have lacked at the position since Anthony Rizzo’s injury problems derailed his output, even though he isn’t the same strong hitter he once was.

Goldschmidt hit.245/.302/.414 with 22 home runs and 65 RBIs in 2024, which wasn’t very impressive, but he still retains exceptional hard-hit rates, indicating that he has some more left in him. Instead of taking a chance on a younger, more costly choice like Naylor, who would have cost them key prospects, the Yankees are counting on him to turn back time.

Discover More Upside
In the end, preference and cost determined the choice between Naylor and Goldschmidt. The Diamondbacks had to give up assets to get Naylor, who is still in his prime and will make $10.9 million this coming season after avoiding arbitration. Without losing any future assets, the Yankees, who have been frugal with their summer expenditures and prospect resources, chose to have Goldschmidt as a veteran.

The Yankees obviously appreciated Goldschmidt’s dependability and experience, even if Naylor’s strength would have been thrilling in the Bronx. Goldschmidt must now demonstrate that their wager was wise.