The Cleveland Guardians traded first baseman Josh Naylor on Saturday night.
They sent him to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for young pitcher Slade Cecconi and a high draft pick.
Then, a few minutes later, they announced that they were signing first baseman Carlos Santana to a one-year deal worth a similar salary to the one Naylor was projected to make in his last season of team control.
Over the last three years, Naylor made a sizable impact with the Guardians, particularly at the dish.
His OPS finishes of .842 and .776 in the last two seasons were impressive and gave the lineup some punch.
This past season, he also stayed healthy for the most part and hit 31 home runs with 108 RBI.
Many fans are mad because they think the front office made a lateral move or somehow got worse.
But the numbers say otherwise.
“2024 fWAR: Carlos Santana: 3.0, Josh Naylor: 2.3,” Guardians of the Land posted on X.
2024 fWAR:
Carlos Santana: 3.0
Josh Naylor: 2.3— Guardians of The Land (@OurCLEGuardians) December 21, 2024
fWAR is FanGraphs’ version of WAR, or Wins Above Replacement.
It means that the 38-year-old Santana contributed more to his team, the Minnesota Twins, than Naylor to Cleveland.
On top of the difference in value, the Guardians gained a pitching prospect and a valuable draft pick.
Yes, they assume some decline risk by taking on a player who will be 39 next year, but if his recent performance is any indication, Santana should be just fine on a one-year deal.
He will be a perfect mentor to Kyle Manzardo, Jhonkensy Noel and other first base options.
Overall, it was a good series of moves by president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti.
NEXT: Guardians Sign Old Friend To Play First Base
