Could the Yankees trade for their hated ALCS foe in the offseason?

The New York Yankees are in an intense ALCS series against the Cleveland Guardians.

However, many Yankees fans – and at least one player – still hold a grudge against Cleveland first baseman Josh Naylor from the 2022 ALDS.

In Game 4 of that ALDS, Naylor staged a spirited “Rock the Baby” celebration after hitting a home run to right-center field that was clearly aimed at Yankees ace Gerrit Cole.

This disrespectful behavior infuriated Cole and made Naylor public enemy No. 1 among many Yankees fans. However, the Yankees got the last laugh when they came from behind in the series and routed Cleveland.

Naylor still gets boos when he plays at Yankee Stadium. Although that didn’t stop Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer from considering New York a top potential trade candidate for Naylor in an October 18 article, should Cleveland decide to trade him this offseason.

“If the Guardians were at least willing to listen to Naylor this winter, it wouldn’t be the first time. He was also briefly the subject of trade rumors last winter,” Rymer wrote.

“The 27-year-old hit 31 home runs and 108 runs batted in this season, so keeping him was clearly the right decision. But the Guardians may not make that decision again as he is projecting $12 million.” The 2025 salary is a bit high by their standards.

“Cleveland seems particularly tempted when a team is willing to part with a starting pitcher to get Naylor. “And with Kyle Manzardo ready to take over at first base, it’s not like he’s irreplaceable,” Rymer added before calling the Yankees a potential fit.

Perhaps Rymer hasn’t thought about New York’s dispute with Naylor. However, if both sides quelled their bad blood, the left-handed hitting Naylor would be a clear improvement at first base.

Maybe cooler heads will prevail and New York will try to bring Naylor on board. Maybe not.