Could Pirates Make Trade? Pittsburgh Linked To Former Batting Champion

The 2024 Major League Baseball trade deadline now is just over 24 hours away.

Trades have been popping up left and right across the league and there have been no signs of the moves slowing down. There will be plenty of star power on the move over the next day and one player who could end up playing elsewhere by August 1st is Tampa Bay Rays All-Star Yandy Díaz.

The 2023 American League batting champion has been in trade rumors on numerous occasions over the last few weeks and it seems very likely at this point that he will be moved. Tampa Bay already has made multiple trades and it seems like only a matter time before Díaz is traded.

The Pittsburgh Pirates could use a boost on offense and Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly listed a possible move for Díaz as a possibility.

“Trade: Pirates acquire (First baseman) Yandy Díaz from Rays,” Kelly said. “The Pirates haven’t reached the postseason since 2015, and with Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, and Jared Jones, they have a starting rotation that could be scary in a short playoff series. General Manager Ben Cherington owes it to the fanbase to try and make a move that would help Pittsburgh snap its postseason drought.

“Yandy Díaz would be a massive upgrade over Rowdy Tellez at first base, increasing the Pirates’ chances of grabbing a wild-card spot. But the reigning (American League) batting champion wouldn’t be mortgaging the future, even though it would take a decent return to pry him away from the Rays. Díaz is under contract for $10 million in 2025, with an affordable $12 million club option in 2026. Adding the 32-year-old would help the Pirates take advantage of Skenes’ early years before he gets expensive.”

If Díaz could end up landing in Pittsburgh, that would be great for the Pirates. There has been speculation building that the Pirates could make a move and we won’t have to wait much longer now to see if it will become reality.

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