Rays reportedly more open to trading rumored Red Sox target Yandy Diaz ahead of deadline
The Red Sox have been linked to Diaz for multiple weeks as they seek first base help.
One of the Red Sox’ top pitching targets ahead of the trade deadline might not be available, but one of their top hitting targets is obtainable.
The Rays have begun signaling to teams that they are open to trading first baseman Yandy Diaz, The Athletic‘s Ken Rosenthal reported. Tampa Bay’s final decision on what to do with Diaz might not come until as early as the eve of the trade deadline on Wednesday, but Boston “will almost certainly be” among the top teams interested in the first baseman, Rosenthal added.
First base has been the one clear hole in the Red Sox’ lineup for much of the 2025 season, especially after Triston Casas suffered a season-ending knee injury in early May. Diaz, who turns 34 in early August, would not only help fill the hole at first base, but he’d also give the Red Sox another right-handed hitter with pop. He’s hitting .286 with a .820 OPS, 18 home runs, and 61 RBIs in 99 games this season. Two years ago, he led the American League in batting average (.330) as he finished sixth in MVP voting.
Following the Diamondbacks’ decision to trade Josh Naylor to the Mariners on Thursday, Diaz might be the top available first baseman on the trade market. He also might have been higher on the Red Sox’ wishlist than Naylor. Boston was more in “due diligence” mode when it came to a possible pursuit for Naylor, according to The Boston Globe‘s Alex Speier. Meanwhile, the Red Sox have been “high” on Diaz, MassLive’s Chris Cotillo reported during the All-Star break.
Unlike Naylor, Diaz is under contract for the 2026 season. While Diaz has an extra year of control, trading for him would likely be more expensive than what the Mariners surrendered for Naylor. Seattle traded pitching prospects Brandyn Garcia and Ashton Izzi, who weren’t ranked as top-10 prospects in the Mariners’ farm system prior to the trade, per MLB Pipeline.
Rosenthal’s report didn’t say what the Rays would seek in a potential trade for Diaz. However, the recent call-up of Roman Anthony might make the Red Sox’ other top outfield prospects (Jhostynxon Garcia, James Tibbs, Miguel Bleis) expendable. The same could be said for some of the Red Sox’ top pitching prospects (outside of Payton Tolle and Luis Perales) after they went pitcher-heavy in the 2025 MLB Draft.
The Rays might also look into moving second baseman Brandon Lowe and catcher Danny Jansen, according to Rosenthal. Second base might not be as pressing a need for Boston unless Marcelo Mayer’s wrist injury keeps him out for the long haul. Lowe, 31, is hitting .269 with an .800 OPS and 19 homers this season. He also has an $11.5 million team option for the 2026 season.
As for Jansen, the Red Sox actually acquired him ahead of the trade deadline last year. With Connor Wong struggling at the plate this season, Jansen could make sense as a primary backup option to Carlos Narvaez. The veteran is hitting .204 with a .713 OPS and 11 homers in 73 games this season.
The Rays’ willingness to become sellers follows their recent cold streak, which included getting swept by the Red Sox in a four-game series. They’re 6-15 since June 29, falling out of one of the three wild card spots and are 2.5 games back of the Red Sox entering Sunday.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com