Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz (right) waits for the ball on a pickoff attempt on Sunday at Tropicana Field. Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros Reportedly Finalists for Yandy Diaz

Originally posted on Seattle Mariners on SI
By Teren Kowatsch | Last updated Jul 30, 2024 3:48 PM ET

The MLB trade deadline is at 3 p.m. PST on Tuesday and the Seattle Mariners are reportedly looking to make at least one more big splash before the clock hits zero.

The Mariners made trades for Randy Arozarena on Thursday, Yimi Garcia on Friday and Justin Turner on Monday. The three trades brought in 137 games of playoff experience to Seattle including two World Series appearances and one World Series championship.

The Mariners are reportedly looking to add one more bat and one more bullpen arm ahead of the deadline. According to a recent report, that last bat might be one of the top ones left in the trade market.

Francys Romero reported on Tuesday that Seattle is one of the three teams remaining in a "final race" to acquire Tampa Bay Rays infielder Yandy Diaz.

The other two teams in the hunt are the New York Yankees and the Mariners' American League West rivals the Houston Astros.

Final race for Yandy Diaz and teams involved, according to sources.

Yankees, Mariners, Astros are in.

Pirates are out.
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) July 30, 2024

A trade for Diaz would be the second in the last week between Seattle and Tampa Bay (the Arozarena trade was the other one). Luke Raley is another former Rays teammate that would be reunited with Diaz with the Mariners.

Diaz would likely be the starter at first base and would move Turner to a more permanent role as a designated hitter.

Diaz does provide some flexibility in the lineup. He's played third base, first base and designated hitter across his time with Tampa Bay.

Diaz is a 2023 All-Star, 2023 American League batting champion and a 2023 Silver Slugger award winner. He is hitting .270 this year with nine home runs and 47 RBIs.

Diaz would be under team control for the rest of this year, 2025 and possibly 2026 if Seattle were to exercise its club option.

This article first appeared on Seattle Mariners on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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