Cuban slugger Yandy Díaz is competing in another playoff series with the Tampa Bay Rays after an excellent regular season and a sweep of the Yankees in the ALDS. The Villa Clara native played a key role in the Rays’ success this season.
Yandy ranked among the offensive leaders in both the American League and his organization. He hit .293 with 22 home runs and 85 RBIs, surpassing his RBI total from the previous season.
Although he has struggled at the plate during these playoffs, he remains a high-caliber player capable of delivering in big moments. Ahead of Game 1 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians, Díaz spoke with the media. Here are his comments.
At some point in this series, you’ll set the franchise record for the most playoff games played. What does that mean to you?
I think that means one thing: it means I’m getting old. But aside from that, I’m very happy. Really happy and really grateful to this organization for how they’ve treated me. Just being part of this history and playing so many postseason games with this group is something really special, something I’m very proud of and will cherish forever.
Talk about your time here. You were traded here from Cleveland, where you obviously hadn’t played much. Have you allowed yourself to reflect on the opportunity you received here and how it allowed you to build the career you’ve had?
Look, I’m thankful to Cleveland for making me a professional. I started my career there. I signed my first professional contract there. But I’m also happy with how things worked out. I’m happy they traded me here to Tampa Bay, which, in my opinion, is the best organization in the league. I’ve built my career here, and that’s something I’m very proud of. I’m grateful for everything, but happy to be here in Tampa Bay.
Looking at what Cleveland’s pitching staff did in the ALDS, especially the strikeouts they piled up, how do you think this lineup matches up against them?
They have a great pitching staff. They’re here for a reason. But at the end of the day, we’re very good, too. We don’t have to overcomplicate things. We just have to play our style of baseball and be ourselves as hitters. The way I see it, right now it’s a chess match: us against them. We have to be smart, play our style of baseball and go from there.
Just out of curiosity, is this a new look for the ALCS?
I think it brought me good luck. I cut it this way last time, too, in the ALDS, and we swept the Yankees 3–0. So hopefully it brings me the same luck this time and we sweep Cleveland 4–0.
What did this team learn against the Yankees in the ALDS that could potentially help it move forward in this series?
Just keep a positive mindset. We did our jobs consistently, stayed mentally strong, and that carried us all the way through. Hopefully, the same approach will help us here.
You’ve been with this organization for quite a few years. What’s different about this group compared with other teams you’ve been on?
Everything. Since the beginning of spring training, this team has been really close. The players, the coaching staff—everyone gets along. There’s a really good chemistry this time, something I haven’t seen on other teams. I’ve been on great teams, but this team is different. It’s special.
Given what happened in the Yankees series, what’s the atmosphere in the clubhouse right now? How do you assess your club heading into this series?
Really good. There’s a lot of confidence in that clubhouse right now. We all feel really good and very motivated. I think that’s the most important thing: being motivated to get the job done. We have to be smart, like I said before. We have to be smart, do our jobs, play the right way, play our style and go from there.
Víctor Mesa Jr. said you gave him some advice and helped him along the way. What do you think of what he’s done since arriving here in late May and the way he’s played for you?
He’s been great for us. He’s been really good for us and has done a very good job for this group all year. He really didn’t get much playing time in Miami, or he wasn’t given the time he should have had. The playing time just wasn’t there for him.
Now that he’s here, he’s made the most of that playing time, and he’s given us a huge boost throughout the season. And you saw it in New York, here in the postseason.