The Yankees have been energetic in nearly each aspect of the commerce market over the previous week. They’ve landed Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Marlins, appeared into big-name starters like Giants lefty Blake Snell and Tigers righty Jack Flaherty, and concurrently been gauging curiosity in lefty Nestor Cortes. Among the many crew’s different targets is Rays infielder Yandy Diaz, per The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty. The Yankees have been additionally concerned within the bidding for Isaac Paredes earlier than he was traded to the Cubs, Kuty provides.
Including some infield assist makes good sense for the Yankees, who’ve Anthony Rizzo on the injured checklist whereas veterans Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu have struggled all through the season. Utilityman Jon Berti, acquired simply previous to Opening Day, is on the injured checklist. Versatile Oswaldo Cabrera has pale after a sizzling begin. Rookie Ben Rice has proven some energy however entered play Monday hitting .196 with a .291 OBP (he’s since homered and bumped up these price stats a bit). A short take a look at veteran J.D. Davis didn’t work out.
Bringing Diaz aboard would give the Yankees an reasonably priced veteran who can deal with each infield corners, although he’s primarily performed first base in current seasons. The 32-year-old Diaz obtained out to a dreadful begin in 2024 however turned issues round emphatically after a sluggish first month. His season-long .270/.326/.397 line is extra stable than it’s eye-catching, however setting apart an uncharacteristic hunch to start the season, Diaz has turned in a strong .296/.348/.452 slash over a pattern of slightly below 300 plate appearances. His superlative bat-to-ball abilities have been on full show, as Diaz has fanned in a mere 13.7% of his plate appearances throughout that stretch and walked at a 7.5% clip. That stroll price is barely beneath common, however Diaz has an 11.5% profession mark in that regard.
Diaz’s method is a very good match with Yankee Stadium. Though he’s a right-handed hitter, he hits the ball to the alternative discipline at a hearty 30.3% price — greater than all however 16 hitters in baseball (min. 300 plate appearances). Diaz is batting .333 and slugging .505 when he goes the opposite method with the ball — numbers that may presumably tick up when taking part in half his video games with that ever-alluring brief right-field porch within the Bronx.
Diaz is within the second season of a three-year, $24MM contract. He’s incomes $8MM on the 12 months and is owed $10MM in 2025. There’s a $12MM membership possibility for the 2026 marketing campaign on the contract as properly, which doesn’t have a buyout. That backloaded contract is comparatively steep for the Rays however way more palatable for the Yankees, even with their luxury-tax standing. The Yankees are a third-time offender within the prime tier of penalization, that means they’d pay a 110% tax on the AAV of any contracts they add to the books. That creates some short-term ache, maybe, however Diaz’s deal is extra reasonably priced than many free-agent choices could be and the truth that he’s locked up by ’26 makes him an interesting multi-year possibility.
