The Boston Red Sox have become one of baseball’s biggest surprises after trading away Rafael Devers. Although the negative ripple effects permeated through the roster shortly after the deal, Boston’s core of young talent has helped lift the team to the third spot in the Wild Card. With their playoff aspirations alive, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow plans to be aggressive at the trade deadline.
Red Sox High on Yandy Diaz Ahead of Trade Deadline originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Boston Red Sox have become one of baseball’s biggest surprises after trading away Rafael Devers. Although the negative ripple effects permeated through the roster shortly after the deal, Boston’s core of young talent has helped lift the team to the third spot in the Wild Card. With their playoff aspirations alive, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow plans to be aggressive at the trade deadline.
While the team is expected to target another starting pitcher, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com believes any acquisition needs to be able to play first base.
Cotillo mentions the obvious rental options, such as Diamondbacks’ Josh Naylor and Orioles’ Ryan O’Hearn, but goes on to reveal a bigger name that could be available due to the Red Sox's recent four-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays.
According to Cotillo, if the Rays become sellers at the trade deadline and start to unload contracts that are close to free agency, first baseman Yandy Diaz would be high on the wish list of some Red Sox decision-makers.
“Díaz has steady pop, as evidenced by his 14 pre-break homers, and could get a little rich for the Rays’ blood as he’s earning $10 million this year and $12 million in 2026 before a vesting option kicks in for 2027,” wrote Cotillo. “The Rays are always willing to deal players as they get close to free agency, and could do the same here.”
Diaz would provide the Red Sox a controllable piece through 2027, with Triston Casas’ return to the lineup not guaranteed, considering the severity of his patellar injury. Cotillo also states that the team is not fully committed to acquiring a first baseman, but is not ruling it out, despite the platoon of Abraham Toro and Romy Gonzalez performing well.
There are no indications the Rays are open to trading Diaz, let alone moving him within the division. Yet, if they continue to fall in the standings, a roster reconstruction is not out of the question, which could lead to Cotillo’s report coming true.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
