The Milwaukee Brewers acquired catcher Bo Naylor and reliever Codi Heuer from the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday in a four-player trade, sending reliever Craig Yoho and outfielder Blake Perkins to Cleveland ahead of the August 3 trade deadline.
The Milwaukee Brewers swung an early trade-deadline deal with the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday, shaking up their organizational depth by acquiring catcher Bo Naylor and right-handed reliever Codi Heuer. In return, the Guardians received high-upside reliever Craig Yoho and switch-hitting outfielder Blake Perkins.
The transaction bridges two American League and National League Central contenders with distinct roster needs. Cleveland addressed a persistent outfield deficiency, while Milwaukee reinforced its catching pipeline with a former first-round draft pick under club control for several years.
Bo Naylor Lands in Milwaukee Following a Tough Season in Cleveland
For Naylor, the trade closes the book on an uneven tenure with the Guardians that began when the organization selected him 29th overall in the 2018 draft. Once viewed as a foundational piece of the franchise’s future alongside his older brother Josh Naylor, the 26-year-old catcher struggled to maintain consistency at the major league level.
Earlier this year, Naylor batted just .143 in games for Cleveland before being optioned to Triple-A Columbus in May. The demotion coincided with the Guardians acquiring catcher Patrick Bailey from the San Francisco Giants. Naylor spent the subsequent months waiting in Triple-A while front offices discussed potential deals.
Despite his recent offensive struggles, including a .199 career batting average over parts of five major league seasons, Naylor brings strong defensive framing skills and previous offensive flashes. Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold noted that the organization had been interested in Naylor for a while to protect their organizational depth.
The acquisition also serves as a strategic safeguard. Milwaukee’s top catching prospect, Jefferson Quero, has been restricted to designated hitter duties due to a right biceps injury, and star catcher William Contreras is a free agent after the 2027 season. Naylor remains under team control with minor league options remaining.
Craig Yoho and Blake Perkins Head to Cleveland
Heading to Ohio is Craig Yoho, an eighth-round selection by the Brewers in the 2023 draft. The 26-year-old right-hander emerged as the key piece surrendered by Milwaukee, combining an elite extension on his fastball with a distinctive changeup that has drawn comparisons to former Brewers closer Devin Williams.
Yoho will not reach arbitration eligibility until 2029 and is under club control through the 2031 season.
Outfielder Blake Perkins also joins Cleveland after batting .157 with a .508 OPS in 55 games for Milwaukee this season. A switch-hitter and former Gold Glove Award finalist, Perkins provides defensive versatility across all three outfield positions and plays well against left-handed pitching, addressing a Cleveland outfield unit that entered the weekend ranking near the bottom of the majors in slugging percentage and home runs.
Codi Heuer Completes the Four-Player Swap
Rounding out the trade, right-handed pitcher Codi Heuer accompanies Naylor to the Brewers organization.
Both Naylor and Heuer will report to Triple-A Nashville for Milwaukee, while Perkins and Yoho report to Triple-A Columbus for the Guardians.
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