9:38 PM: The Yankees, Pirates, and Astros are all in talks with the Rays regarding infielder Yandy Diaz, according to Cuban journalist Francys Romero.
For the Astros, acquiring Diaz makes sense as they released Jose Abreu earlier this summer and have received only a .232/.316/.354 output from Jon Singleton since. However, the Astros have already depleted their top farm prospects to acquire Yusei Kikuchi earlier tonight, making it difficult for them to win a bidding war for Diaz.
The Pirates’ need at first base has diminished with Rowdy Tellez’s resurgence since June, posting a .331/.370/.595 line over his last 135 plate appearances. Despite this, Tellez’s notable platoon splits and the potential versatility Diaz offers at third base and designated hitter positions make Diaz a valuable addition. This is especially true if the Pirates decide to play Andrew McCutchen more frequently in the outfield. Injuries to outfielders Joshua Palacios and Ji Hwan Bae further justify the need for Diaz’s offensive boost.
8:35 PM: The Yankees have been actively involved in the trade market, acquiring Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Marlins, exploring starters like Blake Snell and Jack Flaherty, and gauging interest in trading lefty Nestor Cortes. The Yankees are also targeting Rays infielder Yandy Diaz, as reported by Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. Previously, the Yankees were involved in the bidding for Isaac Paredes before his trade to the Cubs.
Adding Diaz would be a strategic move for the Yankees, who are dealing with injuries and struggles among infielders Anthony Rizzo, Gleyber Torres, and DJ LeMahieu. Utilityman Jon Berti is on the injured list, versatile Oswaldo Cabrera has faded after a strong start, and rookie Ben Rice has shown power but inconsistent hitting. A brief trial with veteran J.D. Davis was unsuccessful.
Diaz, 32, provides an affordable veteran presence capable of handling both infield corners, though he has primarily played first base recently. After a slow start in 2024, Diaz has improved to a .270/.326/.397 season line, with a .296/.348/.452 slash over his last 300 plate appearances. Known for his bat-to-ball skills, Diaz has a low 13.7% strikeout rate and a 7.5% walk rate this season, slightly below his 11.5% career mark.
Diaz’s approach fits well with Yankee Stadium, as he hits to the opposite field at a 30.3% rate, making him one of the top 16 hitters in baseball in this regard. When going the other way, Diaz bats .333 and slugs .505, which would likely improve with Yankee Stadium’s short right-field porch.
Diaz is in the second year of a three-year, $24 million contract, earning $8 million this year and $10 million in 2025, with a $12 million club option for 2026. This backloaded contract is manageable for the Yankees despite their luxury-tax status, as they are a third-time offender in the top tier of penalization, facing a 110% tax on the AAV of any contracts added. Diaz’s deal is more affordable than many free-agent options and offers an appealing multi-year option for the Yankees.