Marlins predicted to trade for $12 million All-Star, Batting Champ to upgrade from Griffin Conine, Graham Pauley originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Miami Marlins have been an interesting player in the offseason, dealing pitchers and signing on multiple veterans. However, they’ve yet to make a move that really moves the needle for their team that finished third in the NL East.
Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly proposes that their big move is dealing with their American League counterpart in Florida, and make a deal for Tampa Bay Rays All-Star Yandy Diaz. Diaz has been the center of trade negotiations for years, but this time, it could really happen.
“It feels like Yandy Díaz has been mentioned as a possible trade candidate for years, only for the Rays—a team more than willing to typically part with coveted players—to hold onto him. That may again prove to be the case here, but we can't help but notice how good of a fit that Díaz would be for Florida's other team if the Rays were willing to move him...But with left-handed hitters in Graham Pauley and Griffin Conine currently projected in at first base and DH, respectively, trading for Díaz would be another interesting solution,” Kelly wrote.
This past season, Diaz slashed .300/.366/.482/.848 with 29 doubles, 25 home runs, and 83 RBI in 150 games. He would be an amazing bat in the heart of the order, and a great mentor for Miami’s young sluggers in Kyle Stowers and Jacob Marsee.
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He would also be incredibly cost-effective. Diaz is set to receive $12 million this year, and has a club option for $13 million in 2027. For a team like the Marlins who likes to operate on a lower budget, this would be perfect for them.
Hopefully, they consider this deal, as Spring Training is right around the corner.
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