Bo Naylor optioned to Columbus following Guardians acquisition of Patrick Bailey
In an interesting move, the Cleveland Guardians optioned catcher Bo Naylor to the Columbus Clippers following a trade that saw two-time Gold Glove-winning catcher Patrick Bailey make his way to Northeast Ohio.
It’s been a rough start to the 2026 campaign for Naylor, as he’s hitting .143 with an OPS of .438 across 28 games. He has two home runs and seven RBIs, but that was enough to prompt the Guardians to look for help behind the dish. Enter Patrick Bailey.
He’s not much of an offensive improvement, if any, but many around baseball consider him an asset behind the plate with his elite framing and blocking. His pairing alongside clubhouse favorite Austin Hedges will give the Guardians a catching tandem that can help support a developing and youthful Cleveland rotation.
Heading to Columbus will allow Naylor to refocus and work on his mechanics in a familiar setting. He thrived in Central Ohio prior to his call-up and hopes for a similar outcome once again.