Rays exercise option for trusted leadoff hitter, add extension through 2027

The Tampa Bay Rays have made the wise decision of extending Yandy Diaz's stay in a Rays uniform. When you have someone that you know you can rely on to produce everyday and every season, you have to invest in them. Diaz is exactly that kind of player. He's the prototypical franchise player that the Rays need.

The Rays Cuban-born first baseman has not only been a reliable hitter in their daily lineup, but he's actually been one of the best hitters in baseball over the last few seasons. Since 2022, Yandy Diaz has the fifth best batting average in the MLB as he's hit .302 over that span. Yordan Alvarez, Aaron Judge, Freddie Freeman, and Luis Arraez are the only players that have produced better results in that time.

The Rays don't normally have "star players", as they tend to find their way onto big market teams like the Dodgers and Yankees, but we could certainly argue that Diaz is quietly in that category. Tampa Bay acquired him from the Cleveland Indians in a three team blockbuster trade in 2018. The deal also involved three-time All-Star Edwin Encarnacion, who was sent from the Indians to the Mariners. Yandy Diaz was a less significant part of this particular trade as he was dealt to Tampa along with relief pitcher Cole Sulser for former Rays rookie first baseman Jake Bauers.

Needless to say, the Rays got the better portion of this exchange as Bauers would go on to hit a career-high .226 in 2019. The 29-year old has missed two full seasons due to injury and he hasn't even surpassed a .220 AVG since then.

On the other hand, Diaz has completely turned his offensive game around. After producing a 0.6 WAR in two seasons in Cleveland, the powerful infielder has accrued a 14 WAR in his seven seasons with the Rays. Highlighted by his AL batting champion year in 2023, Diaz has slashed a combined .289/.374/.440 with 74 home runs in his Rays tenure.

Dare I say Hall of Fame numbers? Well, not quite. He'll definitely need to improve the power totals and probably collect a World Series ring or two, but the 33-year old first baseman is 100% on pace for a Rays Hall of Fame induction. Here's to at least one more season with our reliable leadoff hitter!