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Like clockwork, the Tampa Bay Rays find themselves in trade rumors every offseason. Much of this is due to how the team operates, especially when it comes to its star players across the roster.

Tampa Bay has been known to trade away stars before they have to resign them to large contracts, instead choosing to land prospects for the future. This way of doing things has infuriated fans over the years, but it’s jsut simply how the franchise has been run for as long as anyone can remember.

However, even with this way of going about things, the Rays still find themselves to be competitive almost every year. Tampa Bay has reached the playoffs consistently, while also making the World Series back in the 2020 season.

But this offseason, the player that many around the game see Tampa Bay moving is infielder Yandy Diaz. Diaz is set to earn $12 million this year, and then he has a club option for $10 million in 2027.

While these numbers are low compared to the price for other players, Tampa Bay tends to prefer not to pay this much. This could see the Rays look to move Diaz this winter, and he could be a solid option for teams who miss out on other targets in free agency.

When looking at Diaz, there is a lot to like, mainly from the offensive side of the play. This past season, he hit .300 with 25 home runs, 83 runs batted in, and an OPS of .848 over 150 games played.

Diaz is a very solid contributor, and his power bat would be a welcome addition to almost any team. But his defense is heavily questionable, and he may fit better with a team that directly needs a designated hitter moving forward.

Whether the Rays actually trade him this winter remains to be seen, but it does fit the timeline for Tampa Bay, based on recent history. The Rays could likely get a nice haul for him, especially for any team desperate to add power to the lineup for next season.

This is just a prediction, NOT a report!

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Rays Trade Yandy Diaz to Kansas City Royals

One team that could look to bring Diaz into the mix is the Kansas City Royals. Kansas City is coming off a very disappointing 2025 season, and adding more power to the lineup could help things.

Putting Diaz into the lineup alongside Bobby Witt Jr., Jac Caglianone, Vinnie Pasquantino, and others could give the Royals one of the more potent offenses in baseball. Kansas City has reportedly been looking for more help at the plate, and Diaz could be a solid option.

Since his contract isn’t too much, it wouldn’t see the Royals taking on a ton of money for the future. Kansas City could get a potential All-Star in Diaz for cheap.

The Royals got a taste of the postseason two years ago, and the front office wants to get back to contending for a World Series title. This could be a perfect way to improve the roster greatly, without adding too much payroll to the mix.