One of the more humorous points off this offseason has been the odyssey of former Marlins first baseman Lewin Díaz. The 26-year-old was at one point a prospect to watch in the Marlins farm system. Díaz, however, has struggled to hit at the MLB level. After parts of three seasons with Miami, the Marlins DFA’s Díaz earlier in the winter. Then, things got interesting.
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A Look at Diaz’s Offseason
Here’s how things have shaken for former Marlins first baseman Lewin Díaz this offseason. In November 2022, the Marlins designated Diaz for assignment. One week later, Diaz was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates. At the time, it seemed like a sensible move given Pittsburgh’s weakness at the position.
However, Diaz wasn’t the only domino to fall at first for Pittsburgh this offseason. Earlier in the month, Pittsburgh acquired Rays 1B Ji-Man Choi in a trade. Then, the Pirates signed former Mariner Carlos Santana to a one-year deal. After just eight days with the organization, Pittsburgh DFA’d Díaz.
On December 2, Baltimore claimed Lewin Díaz off of waivers. Díaz, though, didn’t stick around very long. Almost three weeks later, Díaz was again DFA’d.
The first baseman then wound up in Atlanta via trade. That occurred on December 23, but Díaz would only be with the Braves for five days. Atlanta would DFA Díaz, the fourth time that the 26-year-old was designated for assignment. On January 5, Baltimore once again claimed Díaz off of waivers. In a reciprocal move, fellow first baseman Ryan O’Hearn found himself DFA’d by Baltimore.
It’s been a hectic offseason for Díaz, a 26-year-old first baseman that has shown good pop in the Minors. Sent to Miami in a deal that sent RHP Sergio Romo to Minnesota in 2019, Díaz posted 20+ home run campaigns in both 2019 & 2021. However, the infielder has failed to produce in the Majors thus far. Díaz has hit .181/.227/.340 over parts of three seasons with the Marlins. Below-average career K% (28.9%) and Under (36.2%) rates paint a picture of Díaz’s struggles.
