Houston Astros ‘engaged’ in trade talks for All-Star first baseman

Shortly after the Houston Astros announced their agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays for the starting pitcher position, Cuban baseball journalist Francys Romero reported that the Astros are one of three teams engaged in talks with the Tampa Bay Rays for Yandy Díaz.

Diaz would certainly provide Houston with production at first base, a position the Astros have struggled at all season.

He’s hitting .270/.326/.397/.723 with nine homers and 47 RBIs in 97 games this year. Last season, he had 22 homers and 78 RBIs for the Rays, helping them reach the playoffs.

But as Tampa Bay has begun selling assets in trades in recent days, Díaz could become more accessible.

The New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates, who are in Houston until Wednesday, are the other teams in the running.

The Astros released Jose Abreu earlier this season after he struggled with his bat. He even took a minor league assignment to work on his swing, but it didn’t help. His replacement, Jon Singleton, is hitting just over .230.

Diaz has a history of hitting well. He has hit above .300 in a full season, which was in 2023, when he hit .330.

Last year, he won the American League hitting title, appeared in his first All-Star Game and was named a Silver Slugger. He also finished sixth in MVP voting.

The question is what more Houston can give in exchange for Diaz.

On Monday, the Astros traded Toronto pitcher Yusei Kikuchi. In return, the Astros sent the Blue Jays two of their top five per-game prospects. Baseball America — pitcher Jake Bloss and outfielder Joey Loperfido — as well as infield prospect Will Wagner.

Houston has one of the thinnest farm systems in baseball and the deal left them even more depleted, though it bolstered a battered starting rotation.

Loperfido could have been the Astros’ future first baseman since he had several minor league training programs.

Houston hopes to get at least two injured starters back in the near future, Justin Verlander and Luis Garcia.

Diaz’s arrival would give the Astros a future first baseman next season, though. He signed a three-year, $24 million contract. The deal also includes a team option through 2026, so Houston could keep him longer if they exercise it. He can also play third base, where the Astros could lose Alex Bregman as a free agent this summer.

The trade deadline is 5 p.m. Central Time Tuesday.