Would the Guardians be open to a Josh Naylor reunion in free agency? 

For parts of five seasons, Josh Naylor wowed at Progressive Field. 

From his eye-popping introduction to the fanbase during the 2020 season to his breakout 2023 season and All-Star 2024 campaign, Naylor’s time in Cleveland was defined by flair and emotions. 

But in 2025, Naylor took his flair to the other side of the country, as the Guardians traded him to the Diamondbacks in the offseason before Arizona unloaded him to the Mariners at the deadline. 

In total, Naylor hit .295 with 20 home runs, 92 RBI and 30 steals across 147 games for both clubs before hitting .340 in 12 games in the Mariners’ march toward the American League Championship Series. 

But now Naylor is set to hit free agency after Seattle’s loss to the Blue Jays in the ALCS in seven games, and seems destined to get a big payday after his strong 2025 season. 

Could there be a chance that payday comes from the Guardians? 

While the Guardians offering Naylor a contract may seem odd considering they just traded him away so they wouldn’t have to worry about his impending free agency, former MLB GM Jim Bowden listed the Guardians as a potential fit for Naylor in his new story for The Athletic highlighting this year's top free agents (subscription required). 

Would Josh Naylor consider returning to the Guardians in 2025?

The biggest elephant in the room in regard to Naylor's potential return to Cleveland is how his time in Cleveland ended. He made his return to Cleveland in August and told reporters that “he knew he was going to be traded eventually” because that’s how the Guardians do business. 

While he’s right, the suddenness of his trade may have left a bad taste in his mouth, especially considering he went on to say that he wants to go to a place that wants him “for a long time.” 

It looks like there's a good chance that place could end up being Seattle since multiple Mariners officials told the Seattle Times’ Adam Jude that re-signing Naylor is their top offseason priority. 

Naylor hit .299 with nine home runs, 33 RBI and 19 steals in 54 games with Seattle and was worth 2.2 bWAR. 

If Naylor were to return to the Guardians, he’d likely be back in a timeshare with Kyle Manzardo at first base. The last time that happened, Naylor was an All-Star in 2024. But a lot has changed since then, as Carlos Santana came and went and Manzardo slugged 27 home runs. 

With all that in mind, Naylor returning to Cleveland seems like a pipe dream, especially if he’s able to get a contract within the ballpark of the four-year, $90 million contract that Bowden predicted for him. 

While he’s a solid player who clearly can impact winning, it’s hard to see the Guardians’ front office shelling out that kind of money for him less than a year after trading him away so they wouldn’t have to worry about his free agency.