3. Peter Bendix Calls His Old Team to Land the Marlins Yandy Diaz
DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 6: Yandy Diaz (L) #2 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates with Brandon Lowe #8 after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning against the Detroit Tigers Comerica Park on August 6, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
Speaking of a President of Baseball Operations calling up his former team, how about the Marlins POBO phoning his old digs to find a big bat for the middle of his lineup?
The Tampa Bay Rays are likely to shop Yandy Diaz this offseason, and the Marlins are looking to spend, but are going to have a hard time convincing a free agent bat to sign. This could be the perfect solution, where the Marlins can scoop up a veteran bat that can help lead an up-and-coming lineup.
Diaz will make $12 million on a club option for 2026, and he carries an affordable $10 million club option for 2027. The option vests at $13 million instead of $10 million if Diaz gets to 500 plate appearances in 2026.
Jonathan Aranda has already replaced Diaz at first base in Tampa, as Yandy was more of a DH in 2025, playing 114 of his 150 games there. With the Marlins, Diaz could split time between first base and DH as well, allowing Miami to juggle playing time for all their young catchers.
In fact, the Marlins could even use Liam Hicks in this trade, sending the Rays a catcher they desperately need, while clearing at-bats for top prospect Joe Mack, and having Agustin Ramirez float between catcher and DH.
Hicks actually came to the Marlins as a Rule 5 Draft pick that the Rays did not protect, so taking him back in the deal may be a bit awkward, but they also have a glaring hole at catcher, and Hicks proved to be at least a league-average one in 2025.