Josh Naylor Joins Diamondbacks, Aims for Leadership Role

Josh Naylor is excited to join the Arizona Diamondbacks after being traded from the Cleveland Guardians, where he excelled in 2024 with 31 home runs and 108 RBIs despite a batting average of .243. With the departure of Christian Walker, who signed with the Houston Astros, Naylor aims to fill both the offensive and leadership roles left behind, emphasizing his desire to be a supportive teammate. Naylor acknowledges the importance of balancing his power hitting with improving his batting average, aspiring to be a 'complete hitter' in the upcoming season. He has expressed eagerness to learn from his new teammates and coaches, aiming for continuous personal growth. The Diamondbacks are optimistic about Naylor's potential contribution as they look to compete in the challenging NL West. Naylor's past experiences with trades have prepared him for this transition, which he sees as an opportunity for further development in his career.