Potential Pirates Trade Targets: First Baseman Linked at Trade Deadline

This is one in a series of examining potential trade targets for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2024-25 offseason.

A player the Pittsburgh Pirates were linked to during the trade deadline was first baseman Yandy Díaz, who ultimately stayed put.

Though his 2024 season didn’t match is uber-impressive 2023 campaign, Díaz was still a quality offensive performer. In a career-high 145 games with the Rays this past season, Díaz hit .281 with a .755 OPS, 31 doubles, a triple, 14 home runs and 65 RBIs.

Last season, the now 33-year-old put together the best season of his career. Díaz played in 137 games in 2023, was named an All-Star for the first time and finished sixth in the American League Rookie of the Year race. Díaz won the American League batting title after hitting .330 to go along with a .932 OPS. He also set career-highs in doubles (35), home runs (22) and RBIs (78).

His career numbers are impressive. The right-handed hitter carries a .288/.373/.433 slash in eight big-league seasons. Since the start of 2022, Díaz is 12th in the American League with a .296 batting average and is tied for 13th with an .824 OPS. Additionally, he ranks fifth in all of baseball with a .401 on-base percentage over the same time.

Though he doesn’t have as much power as you might expect from looking at him, Díaz’s ability to his for contact and get on base would both be major upgrades to a Pirates’ lowly offense over the past few seasons.

But the reason Díaz could be available is the same reason that could deter the Pirates from pursuing a trade. Like the Pirates, the Rays are a small-market team and the veteran first baseman will earn $10 million in 2025. It’s a substantial cost, but one that shouldn’t be too outrageous for the Pirates to add to the payroll. Additionally, Díaz has a $12 million club option for 2026.

The Pirates need a first baseman this offseason and Díaz could be one to keep an eye on. Despite a step back in performance last season, Díaz would immediately come in and anchor the top half of Pittsburgh’s lineup on day one.