Kevin Cash will try Yandy Diaz in the outfield

In a recent article for the Tampa Bay Times, Marc Topkin included a small blurb at the bottom of the page, saying that Kevin Cash will give Yandy Diaz some time in the outfield this upcoming season.

Though Matt Duffy projects as the starting third baseman, Cash said Yandy Diaz will get time there as well as first, and eventually outfield.

Yandy Diaz, who has played just 88 games in the majors thus far in his young career, and has spent the majority of those games at third base. And although Neil Solondz projects Diaz as “the favorite” at first base next season, he does have some experience in the outfield, playing three games (20 innings) in left field during the 2017 season. He also played in 52 games in the outfield while in the minors, during the 2016 campaign.

The Rays will do a lot of moving and shaking with their roster as they look to fit players into the starting lineup. Yandy Diaz looks to be the team’s primary first baseman as of right now, likely sharing the duties with Ji-Man Choi and maybe some others on the squad.

Whatever it takes to get Yandy Diaz in the starting lineup as the Rays will look to tap into Diaz’s power potential, something that was held in check during his days with Cleveland. Danny Russell and Curt Wilson looked at how the Rays could about transforming Diaz into the best offensive powerhouse that he can be.

The Rays acquired Diaz from the Cleveland Indians back in December, in a three team deal that also involved the Seattle Mariners, and sent Jake Bauers to Cleveland and cash to Seattle.