Joseph Zucker @@JosephZucker Featured Columnist IV July 28, 2024
Buda Mendes/Getty Images
The Tampa Bay Rays may not be done selling after cashing in on two of their best trade assets.
The Athletic’s Jim Bowden reported Sunday the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners have both discussed a deal for Rays first baseman Yandy Díaz.
The fire sale appears to be on for Tampa Bay. On Friday, the team sent 2023 All-Star outfielder Randy Arozarena and followed up Sunday by trading relief pitcher Jason Adam to the San Diego Padres.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported Friday the Rays were “expected to listen” to offers for Díaz. He included the Pittsburgh Pirates in the mix with Houston and Seattle.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic had also reported Thursday that Díaz was a “name of interest” for the Texas Rangers.
The 32-year-old is having a down year compared to 2022 and 2023. Through 96 games, he has just nine home runs and a .272/.327/.400 slash line, and his 108 OPS+ is on pace to be the second-lowest of his career.
Tampa Bay Rays @RaysBaseball
YEET-HAW YANDY pic.twitter.com/ijFo3wW3Qt
According to FanGraphs, Díaz is walking less than he ever has (7.3 percent) and has a batting average on balls in play .302 below his all-time mark (.322).
In terms of his raw power, though, the veteran corner infielder has a 92.6 mph average exit velocity and a 49.7 percent hard hit rate, per Baseball Savant. Both of those figures are on par with his past production in Tampa Bay.
Díaz is on a reasonable contract as well. He makes $10 million in 2025 and has a $12 million club option, which doesn’t have a buyout, for 2026.
The Rays are 53-52 and only four games back of the final wild-card spot in the American League, but they seem to be waving the white flag prior to Tuesday’s trade deadline. It might only be a matter of time before Díaz is in a different clubhouse.
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