Reds part of trade rumors for .300 average, 25-HR first baseman

Billy Heyen

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Reds part of trade rumors for .300 average, 25-HR first baseman image

The Cincinnati Reds made it to the postseason in 2025, barely, before being quickly knocked out by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

They could use multiple improvements this offseason, and definitely could stand to upgrade the batting lineup.

One new trade link would do just that. The Reds are one of the possible landing spots listed for Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz in a new article by ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel.

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The Reds are one of five teams listed by the insiders, along with the Padres, Marlins, Diamondbacks and Padres.

"Diaz, 34, doesn't offer much baserunning or defensive ability, but he's reliable at the plate," the ESPN duo writes. "If he can get close to last year's numbers --.300 average and 25 homers -- he'll be a huge bargain, and his option would be an easy pickup. Given his age, his bat speed could decrease soon."

It's really just a question of whether the Rays actually want to deal Diaz.

"On a $12 million deal (with a $10 million club option that vests at $13 million with 500 plate appearances next year), Díaz's contract is very affordable," Passan and McDaniel write. "Whether the Rays are willing to trade him is another question. They've got Jonathan Aranda at first base. They've got enough DH at-bats to go around. And yet, there's skepticism that they'll move Díaz, who has spent the past seven years with the team."

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Diaz probably wouldn't command a huge prospect return in a trade. That both makes him appealing for an acquiring team, but also less of a must-move player for the Rays.

He and Brandon Lowe are two prominent Rays veterans who will remain in trade rumors all offseason. But whether they actually move or not remains to be seen.

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