PORT CHARLOTTE (WDAE) -- The Tampa Bay Rays wanted Yandy Diaz badly this offseason, so much so that they were willing to send first baseman Jake Bauers and $5 million in cash to the Cleveland Indians in order to acquire him. And the infielder is starting to feel at home with his new teammates.
"He's enjoying himself," manager Kevin Cash said after Wednesday's workout. "You're always aware that you want to do everything to make a guy comfortable. I think he's really enjoyed himself. I think Willy [Adames]'s done a good job embracing him. Rodney Linares has [too]. We want to see him have fun."
And that comfort has led to some impressive displays during workouts.
"He hits the ball very hard and he hits it a long way," Cash remarked. "Today in batting practice he put on another show."
VELAZQUEZ TAKES RAYS IDOL TITLE: Tampa Bay also held the annual first-year "Rays Idol" singing competition. Among the participants were catcher Nick Ciuffo, outfielder Austin Meadows and infielder Brandon Lowe. But the winner was infielder Andrew Velazquez, who wowed teammates with his rendition of Meek Mill's Dreams and Nightmares. Velazquez joins other winners Jake Bauers (2018), Jaime Schultz (2017), and Luke Maile (2016).
THURSDAY'S SCHEDULE: The Rays will wrap up the workout portion of this Spring Training with their final full-squad workout at Charlotte Sports Park. The workout will begin at 11:00, but is expected to be an abbreviated session.
Listen to comments from manager Kevin Cash and reliever Emilio Pagan below!