Rangers among clubs interested in former Rays All-Star

Rays infielder Yandy Diaz has been on the restricted record for nearly per week whereas attending to an undisclosed private matter, however the Rays introduced that they reinstated him on Friday. They already had three vacancies on their 40-man roster, so this transfer brings their depend to 38. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Instances relayed on X earlier that the membership was hopeful of Diaz returning on Friday. 

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Thursday night time that the Rangers are considering including him to their lineup. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com mentioned on X that the Astros, Mariners and Pirates are potential suitors, although it’s unclear if any of these golf equipment have engaged with the Rays.

Diaz, now 32, has been a fixture of the Rays for a few years. He got here to Tampa from Cleveland heading into 2019 as a part of the three-team trade and rapidly labored his approach into being a daily for the Rays. From the beginning of 2019 to the current, he has drawn walks in 11.6 p.c of his plate appearances whereas solely hanging out 14.5 p.c of the time. His .288/.375/.439 batting line interprets to a 133 wRC+, indicating he’s been 33 p.c higher than league common general.

That offense is his finest attribute. He’s not a burner on the basepaths and his third base protection was poorly regarded, although he’s been nearer to common at first base and has been roughly completely moved to that aspect of the diamond. However the 133 wRC+ that Diaz has put up from 2019 to the current is without doubt one of the high 15 marks in baseball amongst certified hitters, highlighting that such constantly above-average manufacturing is difficult to seek out.

Right here in 2024, his season-long stats look mildly disappointing, a .273/.329/.396 line and 111 wRC+, however that’s principally as a consequence of a brutal begin that he has put behind him. He hit .211/.279/.276 by Might 1 however his line of .302/.354/.453 since that point results in a 134 wRC+, proper in step with his general monitor document.

The Rays don’t strictly have to maneuver him however their conduct suggests he’s obtainable. Going into 2023, he and the Rays signed an extension that runs by 2025 with a membership possibility for 2026. He’ll make $10M subsequent 12 months with the choice valued at $12M.

Tampa may actually maintain him however they’ve proven, each just lately and up to now, that they’re typically unafraid to maneuver gamers nearing free company. Though they’re 52-51 this 12 months and simply 4 video games out of a playoff spot, they’ve already traded Aaron Civale, Phil Maton and Randy Arozarena in current weeks.

Some recent reporting steered the Rays have been extra prone to commerce arbitration gamers than these signed to long-term offers, however that contradicts their previous conduct. Gamers like Evan Longoria, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Manuel Margot have all signed extensions after which been traded earlier than these contracts ended, so there’s no actual motive to imagine the Rays gained’t be open to commerce gives on Diaz.

Doing so wouldn’t even be a sign that the membership is giving up on 2024, as gamers like Isaac Paredes and Curtis Mead may fill in at first base. Jonathan Aranda is presently damage however may very well be within the combine later. Infielders like Junior Caminero, Austin Shenton and Osleivis Basabe may very well be known as as much as fill in elsewhere across the infield. In the long run, Xavier Isaac is a primary baseman and is taken into account one of many high 50 prospects within the league, although he’s but to succeed in Double-A.

For the Rangers, Rosenthal relays that they’re in search of “both a left-handed hitting outfielder/DH or a platoon-neutral right-handed hitter.” Diaz is best in opposition to lefties however isn’t a legal responsibility with out the platoon benefit. He has a 148 wRC+ in opposition to southpaws in his profession and a 121 wRC+ in opposition to righties. It’s a far wider cut up of 151 and 99 this 12 months, although in a a lot smaller pattern dimension.

Texas hitters have a collective line of .237/.309/.378 in opposition to right-handed pitching, with that line resulting in a 93 wRC+, placing them forward of simply seven golf equipment in that cut up. They’ve Nathaniel Lowe at first base however don’t actually have a daily designated hitter and will be capable to match each him and Diaz into the identical lineup.

The Rays and Mariners already lined up on one deal, sending the aforementioned Arozarena to Seattle because the M’s search for extra offense. Diaz may additional increase their lineup, particularly with the struggling Ty France have been just lately designated for project and leaving a gap at first base. They’ve plugged Tyler Locklear into that spot however he has solely 40 main league plate appearances up to now.

The Astros additionally minimize ties with a struggling first baseman, releasing Jose Abreu earlier this 12 months. They’ve principally used Jon Singleton to fill that gap however he’s hitting simply .231/.319/.343 this 12 months for a 93 wRC+.

The Pirates have a bit much less of a dire want as they held onto their struggling first baseman and have been rewarded with a bounceback. Rowdy Tellez was hitting .177/.239/.223 by the top of Might however has a line of .328/.364/.588 because the calendar flipped to June. His season-long line remains to be subpar because of that early droop, however the Pirates in all probability really feel much less inclined to exchange Tellez on the heels of his sizzling streak this summer season. They’ve Andrew McCutchen within the designated hitter spot most days, which makes the lineup match a bit much less clear except they plan on shifting on from Tellez, who’s a free agent at season’s finish.

Each the Astros and Rangers are set to pay the aggressive steadiness tax at season’s finish, so they might have to think about the taxes concerned in taking over the Diaz contract. The Astros are set to be a first-time payor and have a base price of 20 p.c however RosterResource has their CBT quantity at $256M. Crossing over the $257M second tier would enhance their tax price to 32 p.c for spending past that line. Recent reporting steered they’re making an attempt to maneuver Rafael Montero’s contract to reduce their tax burden however doing so can be troublesome given his poor outcomes of late. RosterResource has the Rangers at $249M however they’re set to be a second-time payor and have a base tax price of 30 p.c.