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Bo Naylor, Austin Hedges left in odd spot with Guardians' Patrick Bailey trade
TL;DR
The Cleveland Guardians traded for catcher Patrick Bailey, creating uncertainty for Bo Naylor and Austin Hedges. The move raises questions about the team's catching depth, especially with prospect Cooper Ingle in Triple-A.
Key points
- Cleveland Guardians traded for catcher Patrick Bailey
- Trade raises questions for Bo Naylor and Austin Hedges
- Cooper Ingle is a catching prospect at Triple-A
Cleveland Guardians
Bo Naylor, Austin Hedges left in odd spot with Guardians' Patrick Bailey trade originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cleveland Guardians traded for Gold Glove catcher Patrick Bailey on Saturday.
The deal, reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan, is exciting on one hand -- but it's confusing once you consider Bo Naylor and Austin Hedges.
Something's gotta give here, right? And that's before even considering that the Guardians have a quality catching prospect, Cooper Ingle, down at Triple-A.
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Bailey grades out incredibly well in defensive catching metrics, and although the switch-hitter's bat has struggled lately, this is more about adding his ability behind the plate.
And no one is hurt. Naylor is getting sent down to Triple-A, according to The Athletic's Zack Meisel.
Admittedly, Naylor hasn't hit well this season after closing 2025 strong, but he did hit a three-run homer the other day, and his metrics suggest he'll at least partially turn it around at the plate.
Hedges is a beloved clubhouse presence who has improved his swing this season while maintaining his quality work behind the dish.
The confusing part of this, really, is that no one was really sitting there thinking that Cleveland needed a catcher.
But then they go and trade a first-round pick and a decent prospect to get another catcher who can't hit.
The shoe has already dropped for Naylor. And with Ingle looming, too, who knows if he'll make it back anytime soon.
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Q&A
What does the Patrick Bailey trade mean for Bo Naylor and Austin Hedges?
The trade complicates the roles of Bo Naylor and Austin Hedges, as the Guardians now have three catchers, including Bailey.
Who is Cooper Ingle and how does he fit into the Guardians' catching situation?
Cooper Ingle is a quality catching prospect currently at Triple-A, adding to the Guardians' depth at the position following the Bailey trade.
Why did the Cleveland Guardians trade for Patrick Bailey?
The Guardians traded for Patrick Bailey to strengthen their catching position, as he is a Gold Glove winner and offers defensive reliability.