Why it's trending
The trade was announced Saturday, making it a new transaction story as the MLB trade deadline approaches. Bo Naylor's status as a former top Cleveland prospect and his immediate fantasy-baseball relevance have also fueled searches.
The Cleveland Guardians made a notable deadline-adjacent move Saturday, trading catcher Bo Naylor and pitcher Codi Heuer to the Milwaukee Brewers. In return, Cleveland acquired outfielder Blake Perkins and reliever Craig Yoho, according to MLB Trade Rumors and the teams' announcements. Both Naylor and Heuer were assigned to Triple-A Nashville, per The New York Times.
CBS Sports, citing Zack Meisel of The Athletic, confirmed the deal and provided context for Naylor's struggles. He had a .438 OPS in 90 major-league plate appearances this season and a .225/.344/.438 slash line over 45 Triple-A games. The Athletic notes Naylor was a former top prospect for Cleveland before being sent to Triple A in May. Heuer, the other player headed to Milwaukee, is included in the trade but the excerpts provide no additional detail on his season.
Naylor's path to Milwaukee has been a steady decline from prospect status. He was sent down in May, and his MLB production this season has been well below average. CBS Sports reports that he will 'presumably report to Triple-A Nashville' and would be 'the next man up' if a Brewers catcher is injured or if the club moves Gary Sanchez before the trade deadline. This suggests the Brewers are adding depth without immediately altering their major-league catching picture.
For the Guardians, the move brings in a big-league outfielder in Blake Perkins and a pitcher in Craig Yoho. The trade's implications for both rosters will depend on whether Naylor is called up soon. If the Brewers deal Sanchez or suffer an injury, Naylor could return to the majors relatively quickly. Otherwise, he gives Milwaukee a former top prospect as catching insurance.
Timeline
- Naylor optioned to Triple-A
Bo Naylor, a former top Cleveland prospect, was sent to Triple A, according to The New York Times.
- Guardians and Brewers announce trade
Cleveland traded Bo Naylor and Codi Heuer to Milwaukee for Blake Perkins and Craig Yoho, both teams announced, per The New York Times. Naylor and Heuer were assigned to Triple-A Nashville.
Questions people ask
Why did the Guardians trade Bo Naylor?
CBS Sports reports Naylor has struggled in the majors this season, with a .438 OPS across 90 plate appearances, and was sent to Triple-A in May. The Athletic called him a former top prospect, suggesting the Guardians moved on from a player whose stock had fallen.
Where will Bo Naylor play now?
He was assigned to Triple-A Nashville, according to The New York Times. CBS Sports says he would likely be the next man up if a Brewers catcher gets hurt or if the team trades Gary Sanchez before the deadline.
What did the Guardians receive in the trade?
They acquired outfielder Blake Perkins and pitcher Craig Yoho from the Brewers, per MLB Trade Rumors and the teams' announcement.
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