by One of the Red Sox’s top hitting targets is reachable, but one of their top pitching targets may not be available prior to the trade deadline.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletics, the Rays have started to let parties know that they are amenable to moving first baseman Yandy Diaz. Boston will most likely be among the top clubs interested in the first baseman, Rosenthal continued, but Tampa Bay may not make a final choice on Diaz until the eve of the trade deadline on Wednesday.
For a large portion of the 2025 season, first base has been the only obvious weakness in the Red Sox lineup, particularly following Triston Casas’ season-ending knee injury in early May. In addition to filling the void at first base, Diaz, who turns 34 in early August, would provide the Red Sox with another pop-hitting right-handed batter. In 99 games this season, he is hitting.286 with a.820 OPS, 18 home runs, and 61 RBIs. He was sixth in the MVP voting two years ago and led the American League in hitting average (.330).
Diaz may also be the best first baseman available on the trade market after the Diamondbacks decided to send Josh Naylor to the Mariners on Thursday. It’s possible that Diaz was more desirable to the Red Sox than Naylor. When it came to a potential pursuit of Naylor, Boston was more in due diligence mode, according to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe. During the All-Star break, Chris Cotillo of MassLive revealed that Diaz has been highly valued by the Red Sox.
Diaz, in contrast to Naylor, has a 2026 contract. Diaz would probably cost more to trade for than what the Mariners gave up for Naylor, even if he has an extra year of control. According to MLB Pipeline, Seattle traded pitching prospects Ashton Izzi and Brandyn Garcia, who were not previously rated as top-10 prospects in the Mariners’ farm system.
What the Rays would look for in a possible deal for Diaz was not included in Rosenthal’s story. However, the Red Sox’s other top outfield prospects (Jhostynxon Garcia, James Tibbs, and Miguel Bleis) may become expendable due to Roman Anthony’s recent call-up. After selecting pitchers in the 2025 MLB Draft, the same could be said for several of the Red Sox’s best pitching prospects (apart from Payton Tolle and Luis Perales).
According to Rosenthal, the Rays may also consider dealing catcher Danny Jansen and second baseman Brandon Lowe. Boston may not have as much of a need for second base unless Marcelo Mayer’s wrist injury prevents him from playing for any time. This season, Lowe, 31, is hitting.269 with a.800 OPS and 19 home runs. In addition, he has a 2026 team option worth $11.5 million.
In fact, Jansen was acquired by the Red Sox last year prior to the trade deadline. Given Connor Wong’s poor performance at the plate this season, Jansen might be Carlos Narvaez’s main backup. In 73 games this season, the veteran is hitting.204, has a.713 OPS, and has hit 11 home runs.
The Rays’ recent losing streak, which included losing to the Red Sox in a four-game series, has led them to be eager to sell. They are 2.5 games behind the Red Sox going into Sunday after going 6-15 since June 29 and losing out on one of the three wild card places.
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