Rays pick up 2026 option on former batting champion Yandy Diaz

Field Level Media|published: Fri 14th March, 19:13 2025

MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at Cleveland Guardians

Sep 12, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz (2) celebrates his double in the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

The Tampa Bay Rays exercised their $12 million team option on first baseman Yandy Diaz for the 2026 season.

The Rays also added a vesting option for the 2027 season that would pay Diaz $13 million if he makes at least 500 plate appearances in 2026 and $10 million if he doesn't reach that amount.

Diaz, 33, won the American League batting title in 2023 when he made his lone All-Star appearance and finished sixth in AL MVP voting. He batted .330 with additional career highs of 22 homers and 78 RBIs in 137 games.

His performance dropped last season as he batted .281 with 14 homers and 65 RBIs in 145 games.

Diaz will make $10 million in 2025.

Diaz is entering his seventh season with Tampa Bay after spending his first two campaigns (2017-18) with Cleveland. He has a .288 career average with 75 homers and 341 RBIs in 754 games.

--Field Level Media