When Josh Naylor was traded away by the Cleveland Guardians after the 2024 season, it was seen as a cost-saving move with the first baseman in line for a significant raise in arbitration. As it turns out, there may have been something else going on behind the scenes, if an exchange from their game Sunday is any indication.
Now playing for the Seattle Mariners, Naylor got into a somewhat heated spat with some Cleveland players, most notably catcher Austin Hedges. What the veteran said to Naylor may have revealed some hard feelings that might date back a while.
Hedges’ argument with his former Guardians teammate is going viral, after it began with Naylor calling someone “a f****** loser.”
“No one likes you. Literally nobody likes you,” Hedges said to Naylor.
"Literally nobody likes you." -Austin Hedges to his former teammate Josh Naylor pic.twitter.com/nRWbGrEN07
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 29, 2026
To set the stage, Seattle held a 4-1 lead at the top of the sixth inning. With two outs and a runner on second base, relief pitcher Tim Herrin hit Naylor with a pitch. Instead of turning away, lefty-hitter Naylor lifted his front arm and was struck above the elbow.
Audio revealed someone from the Guardians called out Naylor for his tactic, and he answered with his vulgar response. The TV analysts explained that it’s the way Naylor plays the game, always trying to get under the opponent’s skin. It also drew a response from Hedges, who may have revealed some underlying issues.
Naylor’s younger brother, Bo Naylor, has been part of the catching tandem for the Guardians with Hedges for the past two seasons. Bo Naylor is currently in the minor leagues, getting demoted in early May after opening the season with a .143 batting average.
Josh Naylor was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in December 2024 for current Guardians starting pitcher Slade Cecconi. Naylor was coming off a season of 31 home runs and 108 RBIs for Cleveland, yet the organization decided to move on from him and separate him from his brother in the process.
Fortunately for the Guardians, the exchange may have motivated them, as they later rallied for a 6-5 comeback victory.
NEXT: Analyst Urges Two Struggling Guardians To Get Going At The Plate
