Tampa Bay Rays sign Yandy Diaz to an extension

The Tampa Bay Rays have signed Yandy Diaz to a contract extension that could keep with the organization through the 2027 season.

Diaz previously signed an extension with the Rays entering the 2023 season that had an option for the 2026 season. The Rays have now picked up that $12M option and added a vesting option for the 2027 campaign. According to Marc Topkin, the $13M option will vest if Diaz makes 500 plate appearances during the 2026 season; if Diaz fails to reach that amount, the Rays can retain Diaz by exercising a $10M option.

Since joining the Rays prior to the 2019 season, Diaz has been one of the best hitters in all of baseball. Over that time, Diaz has hit .289/.374/.440 with 74 HR over 2805 plate appearances, registering a 133 wRC+. His wRC+ is the 20th highest among qualifying hitters and his OBP% is the 10th highest. Diaz received MVP consideration in 2022 and 2023 and became the first, and thus far only, player in team history to win a batting title in the latter year.

Now 33 years old, Diaz will be entering his 7th season with the Rays and is among the best offensive players in the franchise’s history. Diaz currently has the highest wRC+ (133), 7th highest fWAR (14.6), 5th highest AVG (.289), 2nd highest OBP (.374), and 15th highest SLG (.440), 12th most HR (74), and 7th most hits (707) among players in team history with at least 1000 plate appearances.