Yandy Diaz could be a great match for Padres
Jul 12, 2024; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz (2) singles against the Cleveland Guardians in the seventh inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
The Tampa Rays and San Diego Padres match well in a potential deal for Yandy Diaz.
The San Diego Padres still lack depth in the lineup, and Yandy Diaz could be the answer.
General manager A.J. Preller made a small flurry of moves just before the start of Spring Training to fill some of the holes in the starting lineup.
He signed a pair of veterans to fill a need at left field left by the departure of Jurickson Profar. Now, the only need remaining is a bat who could fill in at designated hitter and/or first base.
Diaz is looking at what might be his final season with the Tampa Rays. He will earn $10 million in 2025, and the Rays hold the decision on a 2026 option worth $12 million. What Tampa Bay intends to do with the 33-year-old infielder beyond 2025 is unclear. What does seem clear is their chances to contend this season — which look slim at best.
Arraez
Yandy Diaz*
Tatis
Machado
Merrill
Bogaerts
Cronenworth
Heyward/Joe
Elias Diaz pic.twitter.com/1jKKvFHzkW— Al Scott (@AlScott1998) February 13, 2025
The Padres, however, do expect to be contenders this year. They return most of their starting lineup from a year ago and made some additions to their starting rotation. Preller has expressed a desire to add another bat before Opening Day. Diaz would immediately be the favorite to start at first base if they were to add him, which could slide Luis Arraez between second base and DH. Mike Shildt held firm this week that Arraez will be the first baseman until further notice.
For what it’s worth, Diaz has a .746 career OPS in 107 games as a DH.
Diaz took a step back last season after a career year in 2023. Two seasons ago, he hit 22 home runs to go along with his .932 OPS, good enough to be named an American League All-Star. Last season, his OPS dropped to .755. However, Diaz has a .302 batting average over the past three seasons (1,179 plate appearances). His 2025 performance could return closer to those 2023 numbers batting in the Padres’ lineup. The Rays return Brandon Lowe this season but have already parted ways with Isaac Paredes and Jose Siri. Diaz should feel more comfortable in a lineup with Luis Arraez, Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Jackson Merrill.
Diaz would also join a lineup that held a patient approach at the plate last year. San Diego hitters gave opposing pitchers headaches in 2024 by working counts and not swinging at pitches outside the strike zone. Diaz ranks 97th percentile in Whiff% and 88th percentile in chase rate. Defensively, Diaz finished 2024 with a .989 fielding percentage. His addition makes the Padres better both offensively and defensively in 2025.
FanGraphs projects a better year for Diaz, predicting a .807 OPS and a 133wRC+. If the Rays are willing to listen to offers, Preller will build a creative package to entice a Diaz trade. Other teams in the NL West, with the Colorado Rockies being an exception, have only gotten better over the winter. Adding another quality bat only helps the Padres keep with the pace in 2025 as they look to get back to the postseason.
Mike is the sports editor for the Fayette Advertiser, and has been with East Village Times since 2015. His work has appeared on Bleacher Report. He is an avid Padres fan who is keeping the faith and trusting the process.