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FORT MYERS — Yandy Diaz heads into his seventh season with the Rays having played well and enjoying playing for the team.
Now he’ll get the chance to stay for at least another year, or two.
The Rays on Friday picked up Diaz’s $12 million option for 2026, and added another option for 2027 that could pay him either $10 million or $13 million.
If Diaz makes 500 plate appearances in 2026, his 2027 options vests at $13 million. If he fails to reach that plateau, the Rays have the option to retain him for $10 million.
Diaz, who acknowledged he was “a little bit worried” during the winter about being traded, said last week that he has relished his time with the Rays.
“The love that everybody has given me here, the confidence that the manager has entrusted in me and basically just getting along with everybody,” Diaz said. “I love that about being here in this organization.”
Acquired in a December 2018 trade from Cleveland, Diaz has become a key force in the Rays lineup, often hitting leadoff and splitting time between first base and DH. Over the six seasons, Diaz has hit .289 with an .814 OPS.
He won the franchise’s first American League batting title in 2023, has two top-20 finishes in AL MVP voting, and earned a Silver Slugger award, an All-Star Game start and a team MVP award.
Diaz, 33, already signed one extension with the Rays in January 2023 that guaranteed him $24 million over three seasons — including $10 million this season — and included the 2026 option.
The Rays also have Jonathan Aranda, a lefty swinger, to play first and DH this season. And they have some depth at first base, with two of the top five prospects — Xavier Isaac and Tre' Morgan — playing primarily there. They acquired another, Will Simpson, during the offseason.
This story will be updated.
• • •
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Now he’ll get the chance to stay for at least another year, or two.
The Rays on Friday picked up Diaz’s $12 million option for 2026, and added another option for 2027 that could pay him either $10 million or $13 million.
If Diaz makes 500 plate appearances in 2026, his 2027 options vests at $13 million. If he fails to reach that plateau, the Rays have the option to retain him for $10 million.
Diaz, who acknowledged he was “a little bit worried” during the winter about being traded, said last week that he has relished his time with the Rays.
“The love that everybody has given me here, the confidence that the manager has entrusted in me and basically just getting along with everybody,” Diaz said. “I love that about being here in this organization.”
Acquired in a December 2018 trade from Cleveland, Diaz has become a key force in the Rays lineup, often hitting leadoff and splitting time between first base and DH. Over the six seasons, Diaz has hit .289 with an .814 OPS.
He won the franchise’s first American League batting title in 2023, has two top-20 finishes in AL MVP voting, and earned a Silver Slugger award, an All-Star Game start and a team MVP award.
Diaz, 33, already signed one extension with the Rays in January 2023 that guaranteed him $24 million over three seasons — including $10 million this season — and included the 2026 option.
The Rays also have Jonathan Aranda, a lefty swinger, to play first and DH this season. And they have some depth at first base, with two of the top five prospects — Xavier Isaac and Tre' Morgan — playing primarily there. They acquired another, Will Simpson, during the offseason.
This story will be updated.
• • •
Sign up for the Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.
Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on Instagram, X and Facebook.
Continue reading...
