The Yankees are in a tough spot this offseason.
Afꩲter losing in the World Serie🌄s, it’s time to reload, and one big area of focus is first base.
Anthony Rizzo is gone, and now the Yankees need some🐈one who can bring power, consistency, and maybe even a little flair to their lineup.
Two big names stand out: Josh Naylor and👍 Christian Wa🌱lker.
These two guys couldn’t be more different, but both bring serious p🌠otential to the Bronx.
- Josh Naylor is a top trade target, with power hitting suited to Yankee Stadium.
- Christian Walker offers elite defense and consistent offense as a free-agent option.
- The Yankees have other moves to explore, like trading for Juan Yepez or considering Pete Alonso.
Josh Naylor: The Trade Option with Power and Personality
Remember Josh Naylor? Well, Yankees fans sure do.
He became a hated figure in the Bronx after doing his “Rock the Baby” celebration during the 2022 playoffs.
But what if he joined the Yankees?
Naylor ha🐻s the energy and power that coulꩲd light up Yankee Stadium—and the team knows it.
Why Naylor Fits in Pinstripes
Naylor is fresh off a career season in 2024.
He hit 31 home runs and d♊rove 108 RBIs in 2024, all while posting a .776 OPS.
He’s a pull hitter, which i🦹s a perfect match for Yankee Stad🙈ium’s right field.
Statcast says he could’ve hit 34 ho♚me runs last year if he played all his games in the Bronx.
And no doubt that’s mu🌃sic to every Yankees fan’s ears.
Plus, Naylor is in theᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ last year of his rookie deal, with an arbitration estimate of around $14.2 million.
He’s🔯 affordable, and while he might be considered a rental, the Yanke🌳es could keep him long-term if things go well.
What a Naylor Trade Could Look Like
Naylor wouldn’t break the Yankees’ prospect bank.
Chris Kirschner of The Athletic and Zach Pressnell of FanSided proposed a deal:
- Yankees send: Will Warren (a top pitching prospect) and Trystan Vrieling (a lower-ranked prospect).
- Guardians send: Josh Naylor.
This trade makes sense for both teams. Cleveland is already prepping Kyle Manzardo as t🌳heir future first baseman, so Naylor is expendable.
The Yanke🎃es, meanwhile, get a slugger without losing top-tier prospects.
Win-win, right?
Christian Walker: The Defensive Powerhouse in Free Agency
If trades aren’t the an🐻swer, the Yankees could go afte🅷r Christian Walker in free agency.
Walker is one of baseball’s best all-around first basemen, as he combines elite defense with consistent power.
Why Walker Could Be the Perfect Fit
Walker’s numbers are impressive.
He hit 26 home runs in 𝓀130 ga🗹mes in 2024 despite missing some time with an injury.
And he slu💃gged 36 homers the year befꦗore, so you know the power is real.
Oh, and let’s not forge🎶t his three straight Gold Gloves at first b🦂ase.
There is no question that he’s a de𒁃fensive upgrade over Rizzo.
Walker is only 33 years old, meaning h♔e’s got a few good years left in him.
And th🃏e Yankees could lock him into a deal and solidify first base for the foreseea🍌ble future.
Is He Really Better Than Rizzo?
Let’s compare them:
- Since 2022, Walker’s WAR (11.4) crushes Rizzo’s (2.9).
- Walker has played 126 more games, hit 43 more home runs, and driven in 130 more RBIs over the past three seasons.
Walker isn’t a little upgrade—he’s a massive one.
The Yankees 🐓lineup could’ve used his production in those tight playoff games, don’t you think?
Other Options: Yepez, Alonso, and Goldschmidt
If Naylor and Walker don’t work out, the Yanke♉es have other paths to explore.
Let’s look at a few:
- Juan Yepez: MLB insider Chris Kirschner suggested a trade that would send pitcher Marcus Stroman to the Nationals for Yepez. The 26-year-old is a versatile player with a solid .283 average and 6 home runs last season. While not a superstar, he could be a cost-effective platoon option at first base.
- Pete Alonso: The Mets’ slugger has been linked to the Yankees, but he’d come with a hefty price tag. Plus, his defense isn’t great, which could be problematic for a team that values first-base defense.
- Paul Goldschmidt: The 2024 NL MVP could be an option, but his age and cost might make the Yankees hesitate.
What’s the Yankees’ Plan?
The Yankees are no strangers to blo🌳ckbuster moves, and this offseason promises to keep that reputation alive.
They’ve already locked in Gerrit Cole for the long haul, and now they ne💎ed to figure out first base.
Will they trade for the f♓iery and powerful Josh Naylor or opt for the steady, defensively elite Christian Walker in free agency?
The mission is ꧟clear—build a roster capable of bringing home a championship in 2025.
If the Yankees can also re-sign Juan Soto, they’ll be the team to beat in the America꧅n League.
But if they miss on these moves, it could be a long road bac💙k to the top.
So, Y♕ankees fans, buckle up—it will be an offseason full of big decisions and maybe a few surprises.
Who do you think should beꦺ the 🤪Yankees’ next first baseman?
