The Boston Red Sox have been looking everywhere to bolster their lineup at this year's deadline.
It has been confirmed that the Red Sox aren't trading Jarren Duran, per multiple reports, which means that they'll be shuffling Ceddanne Rafaela around the field (which they've already done). Rumors have been emphasizing the need for them to get another pitcher, but now, many believe that getting a first baseman is a priority.
Red Sox Must Find Triston Casas Replacement at Trade Deadline
Triston Casas was unfortunately put under the knife after tearing his left patellar tendon in early May, and the Red Sox have been trying hard to find a lethal substitute. So far, it's been Romy Gonzalez and Abraham Toro platooning the position, with a sprinkle of Nick Sogard when he was still in the big leagues.
But coming closer and closer towards the deadline, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has been antsy to get his hands on a first baseman for this year.
Tampa Bay Rays slugger Yandy Diaz is a first baseman whom the Red Sox truly desire. In his background, he made his major league debut as part of the Cleveland Indians as a third baseman. He wasn't the best in that once-stacked Indians lineup, and he was involved in a three-team trade (Indians, Rays, and Mariners) that sent him to the Tampa Bay Rays, Edwin Encarnacion to Seattle, and reunited Carlos Santana back with Cleveland, along with promising first baseman Jake Bauers.
This wasn't enough for Diaz to shy away from the spotlight. He was part of that 96-win Tampa Bay Rays squad that took the later American League Champs, the Houston Astros, to five games in the ALDS. He hit two home runs in the Wild Card Game against the Oakland Athletics and was a playoff contributor for them for years to come.
They eventually moved him to first base primarily, and in 2023, he broke out. He batted .330, with 22 home runs, and 78 RBIs on the season. This won him the batting title for the first (and sadly, the only) time in his career. He's averaged only 56.8 strikeouts a season, which is amazing for a first baseman.
So far, the Red Sox are looking into him and should be making offers for him real soon. The Rays had picked up Yandy's club option for the 2026 season, and he has another one coming into the 2027 season as well. Diaz will be due $12 million next season, and the Red Sox can more than fork that money up if they want to take up his deal. But again, that's IF they want to pay the prospect tax to get him.
With how tumultuous the club's 1B situation has been this season, exploring a Casas replacement in the coming days is well worth the effort.