3 weeks agoThe Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin writes that the Tampa Bay Rays are considering dropping first baseman
Yandy Diaz down in the lineup from the leadoff spot as a way to boost their offense in 2025. Diaz has served as the team's leadoff hitter the last two seasons, but the 33-year-old veteran could be moved down in order to increase his RBI opportunities. In the leadoff spot, Diaz won the American League batting title with a .330 batting average in 2023, so he's done well in the lineup spot, but a move down would also give him more chances to drive in runs. Despite the talk about moving Diaz down, he has mostly served as the leadoff man this spring. Regardless of lineup position, fantasy managers can't expect Diaz to ever be as good as he was in 2023, especially if he continues to hit more ground balls. He ranks as RotoBaller's No. 19 fantasy first baseman. A trade might be the best thing for his fantasy value going forward.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
2 months agoAccording to Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated, the New York Mets have checked in on first baseman
Yandy Diaz. Sources have reported that the Mets have shown interest in Diaz earlier this offseason, but the Rays were unwilling to part with the first baseman. However, given this recent report, the Rays may be open to a trade discussion, especially after they added another infielder,
Ha-Seong Kim, earlier this week. The Mets have also contacted other teams looking for a first baseman, including the Detroit Tigers for
Spencer Torkelson and the Baltimore Orioles for
Ryan Mountcastle. The Mets remain in discussions with
Pete Alonso but have begun to have preliminary discussions for an alternative option. Last season, Diaz posted a .281/.341/.414 line with 14 home runs.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Pat Ragazzo
3 months agoAccording to Andy Martino of SNY, the Tampa Bay Rays are not expected to trade first baseman
Yandy Diaz. According to Martino, the Rays plan to hold onto Diaz for the time being as he is one of the top options for offensive production. The 33-year-old enjoyed another strong season in 2024 as he posted a .281/.341/.414 line with 14 home runs and 31 doubles. He showed a great eye at the plate with a 15.3% K rate and a 14.2% whiff rate, which were among the top marks in the sport. He also generated a strong 48.7% hard-hit rate, suggesting his power production could see some positive regression in 2025. This was a slight drop in production compared to the stellar .330/.410/.522 line he posted in 2023. Fantasy managers should expect Diaz to have a consistent spot in the Rays lineup, and he is an excellent target for points leagues, given his elite contact and low strikeout rate.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Andy Martino
6 months agoTampa Bay Rays infielders
Yandy Diaz and
Jose Caballero and outfielder
Jonny DeLuca are all out of the lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Diaz is on the bench for the third time in the last four days, but it doesn't appear he's dealing with any sort of injury. The 33-year-old hasn't been as good as he was last year when he won the American League batting title with a .330 average, but he's still been one of Tampa's best hitters with a .282/.342/.417 slash line with 14 homers and 65 RBI in 143 games played.
Jonathan Aranda is playing first and batting cleanup, with
Taylor Walls at short and batting ninth, and
Jose Siri in center and in the seven-hole against Tigers right-hander
Reese Olson. Aranda recently homered in three straight games and has become a regular down the stretch, hitting .262 (16-for-61) with five homers and nine RBI in 20 games in September.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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