Tampa Bay Rays Exercise Contract Option on All-Star First Baseman, Possible Trade Target

Yandy Diaz, who has been the subject frequent trade discussions over the last year, will be in Tampa Bay through at least the 2026 season.

Tampa Bay Rays first base Yandy Diaz (2) singles against the Minnesota Twins during Tampa Bay Rays first base Yandy Diaz (2) singles against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning at Tropicana Field in 2024.the first inning at Tropicana Field in 2024. / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

One day after making news for the failure of their proposed ballpark in the St. Petersburg area, the Tampa Bay Rays made news for the right reasons: They extended All-Star first baseman Yandy Diaz by picking up his 2026 club option. They also gave him a vesting option for the 2027 season, though the performance thresholds aren't known at this time.

According to Spotrac, Diaz will make $12 million in 2026.

The Tampa Bay Rays have exercised a 2026 club option for infielder Yandy Díaz and added a vesting option for 2027, pending 2026 performance thresholds.

— Rays Communications (@RaysPR) March 14, 2025

The 33-year-old is a five-year veteran of the Cleveland franchise and the Rays, earning an All-Star bid in 2023. He's a career .288 hitter who won the American League batting title in 2023 (.330). He has a lifetime .373 on-base percentage and has hit double-digit four homers in four seasons.

Multiple teams have reportedly tried to acquire Diaz over the last year, especially at last trade deadline, but the Rays have not budged and will head into the season with him as a main focus of their lineup. Even with this new deal and the new financial commitment, teams are likely to call about his availability should the Rays fall out of the race.

And while possible, it doesn't seem likely that that will happen. Tampa Bay missed the playoffs last year at 80-82, but they should be much better this year after getting Drew Rasmussen and Shane McClanahan back from injury for full seasons. McClanahan missed all of last year with Tommy John surgery.

The Rays will open up the new season on March 28 against the Colorado Rockies at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.

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