After a very quiet offseason from the Diamondbacks, and a even quieter MLB Winter Meetings, fans we’re getting worried about the lack of news coming from the Diamondbacks. But then on December 20th, it was reported by multiple MLB insiders that Christian Walker and the Houston Astros agreed to terms on a 3yr/60m deal. The Astros have not confirmed the deal yet as it is pending a physical. This ended a 8-year long relationship between the Diamondbacks and Walker.

Walker during his 8-year career in Arizona had a 15.3 WAR, in 832 games played. He saw 3,239 plate appearances with 716 hits, 146 of those we’re home-runs, and 157 of them we’re doubles. Walker had 442 RBI’s and had a career .251 batting average, .331 on-base percentage, .464 slugging % and a .795 on-base plus slugging %. In his 8-years, Walker had a .995 fielding % and won 3 consecutive gold gloves from 2022-2024.

Christian Walker replaced another franchise first baseman when the Diamondbacks traded away Paul Goldschimdt. Who himself was a fan-favorite, and caused quite the uproar amongst fans. Questions we’re raised on who they might replace at first base, and the answer was Christian Walker. Now six years later, the Diamondbacks we’re in that same predicament.

It took longer than most fans would have liked but 24 hours after the Astros agreed to terms with Walker. The Diamondbacks made their move. They called up the Guardians and agreed to a trade. Sending over Slade Cecconi, who in 2 seasons with the Diamondbacks had a ERA of 6.06, in 104.0 innings pitched. He had 84 strikeouts, and allowed 70 runs with 20 home runs. As well as a competitive balance Round-B draft pick. In return the Diamondbacks acquired Josh Naylor.

Josh Naylor who in his career has a 7.0 WAR in 598 games played with 2259 plate appearances. He has 537 hits with 84 home runs and 117 doubles with 343 RBI’s. He had a .262 batting average with a .323 on-base percentage. As well as a .494 slugging percentage and a .767 on-base plus percentage. In his career at first base, he has a .992 fielding percentage which is very impressive.

Naylor has about a thousand more at bats seeing RHP than LHP but he tends to see the ball better against righties.

There has also been some talks that Josh Naylor isn’t the same player in the second half of the season than the first half but let’s breakdown his stats here and see if there is much of a difference.

The Diamondbacks went out and got another amazing first baseman to fill the hole that Walker was once filling for another franchise first baseman. Naylor back in 2012, told Iain Colpitts from Mississauga News “I’m just going to keep working hard and progressing,” he said. “I think it all comes down to a great mindset. You have to keep on looking forward.”

The Diamondbacks got a first baseman who is ready to put in the work, and who plays with a chip on his shoulder, who within minutes of getting traded. Already was showing his support for the Diamondbacks by changing his Instagram bio to include the Diamondbacks Instagram handle. In 2014, Josh Naylor lost a Home-Run Derby to Luken Baker from the St.Louis Cardinals. But he didn’t blame the lengthy rain delay or the long flight that it took to get to Target Field.

“”You’re never going to get this experience again,” said Naylor. “Hopefully it comes again, but this is rare for some people. I’m blessed to be in this situation right now, to be here and to be experiencing everything I am. I got to hang out with major leaguers today and I talked to a few of them, took pictures with a lot of them. I even saw them hit. You don’t get to do that every day.

“Just be thankful for every opportunity.”

That day, Naylor kept the sold-out crowd at Target Field entertained between breaks and was hitting bombs, with one hitting the second deck. He even got to hang out with players like Giancarlo Stanton, Troy Tulowitzki, Justin Morneau and Jose Bautista. Naylor even had a chance to pick Morneau’s brain and ask him what it takes to win a HR derby, which Morneau won back in 2008.

“We just discussed how I should go about taking swings, how patient I should be,” said Naylor. “I asked him how the derby went in 2008 and what his mentality was when he went in it.

“I asked him tonight how many he was going to hit and he said ‘I’m just going to start with one and work my way up.”‘

The Diamondbacks we’re able to fill the hole that most fans we’re desperately wanting for weeks. It also only cost them a 6+ ERA pitcher and a 2nd-3rd round draft pick which the Diamondbacks are already getting a first rounder, due to Walker leaving Arizona and going to the Astros.

Mike Hazen and the front office get a huge A+ for this move. The only thing that could be concerning is that Naylor is entering a walk year, as he is eligible to hit free agency in the next offseason. But the Arizona Diamondbacks and the fans are already excited to have him in Arizona, just as Naylor is excited to be in Arizona.