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Yankees pursued controversial first baseman from AL East rival

Before Josh Naylor was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Yankees reportedly had interest in the power-hitting first baseman, according to ESPN’s Jorge Castillo. Naylor, coming off a career-best season with the Cleveland Guardians, seemed like a perfect fit for a Yankees team that lacked consistency at first base in 2024.

Of course, everyone remembers Naylor rocking the baby after smashing a home run off Gerrit Cole several years ago. The Yankees ended up getting the last laugh anyway.

The 27-year-old lefty slugger played 152 games last season, hitting .243/.320/.456 with a career-high 31 homers and 108 RBIs.