MLB Insider Identifies ‘Absolutely Perfect’ Trade Fit For Red Sox

An ideal trade option could become available for the Boston Red Sox.

The market seemed light on impact first basemen after the Arizona Diamondbacks sent Josh Naylor to the Seattle Mariners. However, an American League East rival could move a tantalizing veteran.

ESPN’s Buster Olney called Yandy Díaz an “absolutely perfect fit” for Boston if the Tampa Bay Rays decide to sell. He noted that Díaz wouldn’t be a midseason rental because of a $12 million club option for 2026.

Tampa Bay enters Sunday just 2.5 games behind the Red Sox for the AL’s final wild-card spot. Yet the team is limping into the deadline, having lost nine of its last 12 games in a stretch that began with a four-game sweep at Fenway Park.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported Saturday that the Rays may soften their stance on selling. They reportedly indicated an openness to moving Díaz and second baseman Brandon Lowe, who went on the injured list earlier this week.

Rosenthal said the Red Sox would “almost certainly be at the top of the list of teams interested” if the Rays shop Díaz.

With Triston Casas out for the season, the Red Sox could seek an upgrade at first base over Abraham Toro. Díaz would provide a significant boost to the lineup.

Despite a slow start, Díaz is batting .286/.345/.475 with 18 home runs through 99 games. One of baseball’s hottest hitters has a .343/.416/.562 slash line since the start of June.

Díaz has a higher wRC+ (137) than Rafael Devers (131) since winning the battle title during an All-Star 2023 campaign. His elite contact skills would also give a massive lift to a Red Sox lineup that enters Sunday with MLB’s third-highest strikeout rate.

The right-handed Díaz would offer a steadying everyday presence without necessarily displacing Boston’s part-time standouts if Romy González plays second base while Rob Refsnyder maintains a DH platoon with Masataka Yoshida. That alignment would send one of Boston’s left-handed outfielders to the bench, assuming Ceddanne Rafaela shifts back to center field.