The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to bolster their roster for a potential wild card spot ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Tampa Bay Rays are open to offers for Yandy Díaz, with the Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, and Pirates among the teams interested in acquiring him.
Díaz, an infielder who plays both third base and first base, is in his eighth MLB season and sixth with the Rays. After defecting from Cuba in 2013 and initially signing with the Cleveland Indians, Díaz spent his first three seasons in the minors before being promoted to the majors in 2017. That year, he played 49 games, batting .262 with 41 hits, eight doubles, 13 RBI, and 21 walks.
In 2018, he continued with the Indians before being traded to the Rays. Díaz had a standout 2023 season with Tampa Bay, leading the American League with a .330 batting average, 173 hits, 35 doubles, 22 home runs, 78 RBI, and 65 walks. He also earned an All-Star selection and a Silver Slugger Award.
Currently, Díaz is hitting .273 with 104 hits, 21 doubles, eight home runs, 46 RBI, and 31 walks this season. The Pirates, who are 52-50 and 1.5 games out of the final wild card spot, have the fourth-worst team batting average in the MLB at .233. Adding Díaz could significantly enhance their chances of reaching the postseason for the first time since 2015.