Former MLB Exec Says Red Sox 'Would Love' to Land Rays' Yandy Diaz

Former MLB Exec Says Red Sox 'Would Love' to Land Rays' Yandy Diaz originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Boston Red Sox are gearing up as buyers at the trade deadline. While they could still trade Jarren Duran, the Red Sox want to add a starting pitcher and a first baseman at the deadline.

With the Red Sox looking to land a first baseman, a new report from Jim Bowden of The Athletic linked Boston to an AL East rival for their first baseman in a trade, and it's not with the Baltimore Orioles for Ryan O'Hearn.

"The Red Sox would love to land first baseman Yandy Diaz from them..." Bowden wrote.

Diaz is the Tampa Bay Rays' first baseman, and Boston would love to land him. The Rays are 52-48, and still competing for an AL Wild Card spot.

To get them to move on from Diaz, who is in the final year of a three-year, $24 million deal, would take a lot. Not only would the Rays have to fall further out of contention, but they would have to be willing to move Diaz to a division rival.

In-division trades can happen, but are rare. Diaz would be an excellent pickup for the Red Sox, and it makes a ton of sense to target. However, the Rays might not be willing to part with their All-Star first baseman.

He's having a strong season again, with a .294 batting average and a .820 OPS through 94 games. Diaz has 111 hits, 48 runs scored, 19 doubles, one triple, 15 home runs, 57 RBIs, 33 walks, and 56 strikeouts this season.

If he were on the market, there wouldn't be a better first baseman to land. The 33-year-old, who was an All-Star in 2023 when he won the AL batting title with a .330 average, is Boston's ideal deadline pickup.

While he could be a rental for just 2025, Diaz also has a 2026 club option, which could help the Red Sox immensely if there are still concerns with Triston Casas in returning from his injury.

Boston is looking to add a first baseman, and Diaz would be the top option if he became available. Bowden reports that the Red Sox would love to add him, and based on his production, it's easy to see why.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.