One of the Boston Red Sox's main needs at the 2025 MLB trade deadline is a first baseman, and this prediction lands them a solution in a former All-Star Josh Naylor.
Former All-Star Predicted As Solution For Red Sox at First Base originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Boston Red Sox have put themselves firmly in the buyers' conversation ahead of the 2025 MLB trade deadline after their red-hot finish before the All-Star break. The Red Sox won 10 straight games and moved into third place in their division, just a game back of the New York Yankees and three games back of the leading Toronto Blue Jays.
Boston's primary needs at the deadline are starting pitching, bullpen help, and a first baseman. NESN's Jay Pritchard recently predicted some options for the Red Sox to target at the deadline to fill the need at first base.
Pritchard named Diamondbacks' first baseman Josh Naylor as a target for the Red Sox. The former All-Star played his last five years in Cleveland before signing with the Diamondbacks in 2025.
Naylor is a rental player who signed a one-year, $10.9 million deal this offseason. The first baseman has had an extremely productive season at the plate. Naylor is hitting .294 with an .817 OPS, 11 home runs, and 58 RBI on the season. The veteran also has an impressive walk-to-strikeout ratio on the season, earning 35 walks and striking out just 46 times.
Josh Naylor is now hitting .300 with an .829 OPS on the year
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) July 8, 2025
A name to watch at the deadline? pic.twitter.com/9SDKihzCwu
"One of the more well-rounded hitters on the market, Naylor’s offensive consistency makes him a potential fit. He was 'mentioned more than any other position player by execs' in a poll of players most likely to be dealt conducted by The Athletic, so he will be highly sought after," Pritchard wrote. "Naylor’s on-base skills and extra-base pop could slot nicely into the heart of Boston’s lineup."
The Red Sox have used a combination of Romy Gonzalez and Abraham Toro at first base since Triston Casas went down injured. Casas is out for the season, and adding a talented, veteran bat at first base would bolster the Red Sox lineup.
Since the Gonzalez-Toro combination took over for Casas, they've performed exceptionally well. The duo has combined to hit just below .300, with 10 home runs and 48 RBI. However, neither player has a track record of sustaining that success throughout the season, and adding a reliable veteran at the position would be smart for a postseason run.
There are several options on the market for the Red Sox to target at first base, but few with the production of Naylor. As a rental player, his price should not be too high for the Red Sox. Naylor brings postseason experience, going three times with the Guardians, including playing in the ALCS last year during his All-Star season.
Related: Red Sox Outfielders Wilyer Abreu, Ceddane Rafaela Get Trade Updates
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
