This mock trade would solve the Pirates' issue at first base

The Pirates enter the offseason with a huge hole at first base. Their plan in 2024 was a platoon with Rowdy Tellez and Connor Joe, which did not work out. Since the cheap, platoon strategy has not worked out in Pittsburgh's favor, they should look to get an established first baseman in 2025 as their contention window expands.

That means it's time to talk trade with the Guardians.

A trade with the Guardians for Josh Naylor would solve the Pirates' first base hole.

Josh Naylor has been linked as a trade candidate for the Pirates this offseason. Such a link does not come out of nowhere either, as the Pirates showed interest in the left-handed slugger a season ago, and Naylor is now just one season away from free agency. That means the Guardians have a chance to sell high as his price rises in arbitration, and can hand the reins to top prospect Kyle Manzardo at first.

The Pirates going after a player like Naylor is a little bit out of the ordinary, but it is not out of the picture, given where the franchise sits. They are coming off being buyers at the deadline, and even though it did not work out in 2024, the front office is showing signs of trying to build a winning team.

In 2024, Naylor hit an impressive 31 home runs with 108 runs batted in and an OPS of .776. His wRC+ sat at 118 with a strikeout percentage of 16.6% and a walk percentage of 9.2%. He has a very solid bat that would instantly boost the Pirates lineup. One issue that lingers is that his contract expires at the end of the season. For this mock trade scenario, it would be the Pirates' goal to acquire him and extend him for a few more years.

What would it cost the Pirates to acquire Josh Naylor?

The first player going back to the Guardinas in this mock trade is Carlson Reed, the Pirates' 30th-ranked prospect. With the Bradenton Marauders and Greensboro Grasshoppers, Reed posted a 1.99 earned run average across 108.2 innings pitched and had a WHIP of 1.08. Opponents hit just .173 against him and he struck out 130 batters. He had a very impressive first full season with the Pirates at just 21 years old.

Bailey Falter would also head to Cleveland in this deal. With the Pirates' surplus of starting pitching and the Guardians' offseason need to add in that department, this appears to be a perfect fit. In 2024, Falter delivered a 4.43 earned run average in 142.1 innings pitched and had a WHIP of 1.29. Opposing hitters hit .254 against him and he had a FIP of 4.30. This would be a boost to what the Guardians currently have in their rotation.

The last player in this hypothetical deal is Nick Cimillo, a 24-year-old first base prospect. Last year across two levels, Cimillo batted .260 with 21 home runs, driving in 71. His OPS sat at .876 with a .500 slugging percentage. He has shown some power upside and a solid overall bat.

Overall, this trade makes sense for both sides if the Guardians do decide to move on from Naylor. Cleveland gets a young arm that has dominated his competition, a pitcher that instantly joins the rotation, and a bat that has some power upside.