The Cleveland Guardians showed some signs of life on Saturday, executing a trade that netted them a right-handed pitcher and an outfielder. It wasn’t a high-profile deal, but the team sent one of their longtime catchers packing in a rather surprising turn of events. In the process, they got a useful reliever and a reserve outfielder.
Bo Naylor, who was drafted in 2018 by the Guardians and was the starting catcher from 2023 until the first few weeks of the 2026 campaign, was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. Right-handed reliever Codi Heuer was also part of the deal.
“Guards officially announce trade. They send C Bo Naylor and RHP Codi Heuer to the Brewers for RHP Craig Yoho and OF Blake Perkins,” AP’s Tom Withers said.
Guards officially announce trade. They send C Bo Naylor, RHP Codi Heuer to Brewers for RHP Craig Yoho and OF Blake Perkins.
— Tom Withers (@twithersCLE) August 1, 2026
Naylor, who had been an offensive liability for Cleveland ever since his explosive 2023 debut, lost his place on the team when the Guardians traded for fellow catcher Patrick Bailey. The younger Naylor was sent to the minors: first, he spent some time in the spring training complex in Arizona, and then he was assigned to Triple-A.
In Columbus, the catcher slashed .224/.346/.436 with seven home runs in 44 games, sporting a 106 wRC+. It was much, much better than what he did in the majors: a .143/.200/.238 line and a 22 wRC+ in 28 games and 90 trips to the plate. Still, it wasn’t enough to re-enter the picture.
The Guardians, after Naylor put up a 74 wRC+ in 2024 and an 85 mark last year, decided to move on with Bailey and Austin Hedges as their catching tandem. Now, they have effectively moved on from Naylor as a member of the team.
Perkins is a 29-year-old outfielder with a career 80 wRC+ in 874 plate appearances. He is hitting .157/.250/.258 with one home run and three stolen bases in 55 games and 101 trips to the plate. He has a mediocre 45 wRC+ this year.
Yoho, however, is a far more interesting piece. A right-hander, the 26-year-old is cheap and controllable, not to mention the fact that he has a 3.15 ERA in 20 innings this year after posting a 0.78 ERA in 23 Triple-A frames.
At the end of the day, the Guardians ended up getting a couple of solid pieces for Naylor and Heuer.
NEXT: Guardians' Biggest Offensive Problem Strikes Again
