The Boston Red Sox are still searching for answers at first base after Triston Casas’ injury. Kristian Campbell took some reps over at the corner, but he isn’t a long-term answer.
Entering Sunday, Alex Cora’s team was five games back in the American League East and held the final wild card spot, just a half-game ahead of the Cleveland Guardians and Seattle Mariners.
Boston appears poised to push for the playoffs and add to its roster at the trade deadline. Josh Naylor could be an option for the Red Sox, as the Arizona Diamondbacks could move on from him if they fall out of contention, according to insider Bob Nightengale.
“The Arizona Diamondbacks’ playoffs hopes continue to take body blows with co-closers A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez undergoing season-ending elbow surgeries, joining ace Corbin Burnes and starters Jordan Montgomery and Tommy Henry,” wrote Nightengale. “If they’re out of the race at the trade deadline, they’ll be swarmed with calls seeking starters Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, along with third baseman Eugenio Suarez, first baseman Josh Naylor and closer Shelby Miller.”
Entering Sunday, Naylor is off to a strong start this season with the Diamondbacks. The 28-year-old first baseman was hitting .302 with nine home runs and 49 RBI. He may not be on pace for the 31 bombs he hit a season ago, but the Red Sox would certainly be appreciative of his average and .822 OPS.
Naylor would be the perfect fit for a team like the Red Sox. They need a first baseman, and adding Naylor would give them another left-handed bat in the lineup. Boston would be required to pay him the remainder of his $10.9 million salary this year before he becomes a free agent at the end of the season.
While Casas is set to return next year from his injury, the Red Sox could even go as far as extending Naylor while dealing Casas for pitching.
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