CLEVELAND -- Bo Naylor was once viewed as the long-term answer behind the plate in Cleveland. The 26-year-old’s tenure with the franchise came to an unfulfilled close on Saturday, as the Guardians struck their first deal ahead of Monday’s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline.
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The Guardians announced they traded Naylor and right-hander Codi Heuer to the Brewers on Saturday in exchange for outfielder Blake Perkins and right-hander Craig Yoho.
Where Perkins and Yoho report is to be determined, but the Guardians noted the deal will not impact their 26-man roster on Saturday.
TRADE DETAILS
Guardians receive: RHP Craig Yoho, OF Blake Perkins
Brewers receive: C Bo Naylor, RHP Codi Heuer
Naylor, Cleveland’s first-round Draft pick in 2018, made his big league debut on Oct. 1, 2022. The onetime Top 100 prospect assumed the Guardians’ starting catching job in ‘23, but struggled to produce offensively in the Majors. Naylor has a career .199/.279/.372 slash line in 1,131 plate appearances over 346 games.
The Guardians were hopeful 2026 would mark a breakout for Naylor, who hit .290 with an .872 OPS over 19 games in September last season. But he struggled out of the gates, hitting .143 with a .438 OPS over 28 games, and was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on May 10.
Naylor's option corresponded with the Guardians acquiring catcher Patrick Bailey from the Giants on May 10. That deal made it tough to chart a path for Naylor back to Cleveland. The Guardians’ catching mix also includes Austin Hedges and David Fry, and prospects Cooper Ingle (CLE No. 3 prospect, MLB No. 58 overall, according to MLB Pipeline) and Kody Huff with Columbus.
Naylor now gets a fresh start with the Brewers.
The Guardians’ biggest need ahead of the Deadline is bolstering an offense that has collectively struggled this season. This trade does not address that, and it may merely be an appetizer to ensuing moves before the Deadline. But Perkins and Yoho do add depth to Cleveland’s organizational outfield and bullpen pictures.
Perkins, 29, is an elite defender who was a National League Gold Glove Award finalist in center field in 2024. He has logged +16 Outs Above Average in the outfield over four big league seasons, while compiling a .223/.307/.330 slash line over 297 career big league games.
Perkins (who slashed .157/.250/.258 over 55 big league games this season) is switch-hitter who has been better against lefties (career .639 OPS) than righties (.602). He perhaps could fill a platoon role in the Majors, if not provide value off the bench. Along with his glove, Perkins also has plus speed. His 28.7 ft/sec sprint speed this season ranks in the 86th percentile in the Majors.
As it stands, the Guardians’ big league outfield mix includes Chase DeLauter, Petey Halpin, Steven Kwan and Angel Martínez.
Yoho is an intriguing arm who is under club control through 2031. The right-hander has logged a 1.10 ERA over 113 appearances in the Minors, with 193 strikeouts and 49 walks in 131 innings over 113 appearances.
Yoho has a 4.40 ERA with 25 strikeouts and 17 walks in 28 2/3 innings over 23 appearances in the Majors since he debuted last season. He’s known for his plus changeup, which he has thrown 45.5 percent of the time this season. Opponents hit just .103 against it.
The Guardians signed Heuer to a Minor League deal on Dec. 22 last offseason. He recorded a 4.66 ERA in eight appearances over four big league stints this season.