Opening up first base presents a few interesting options for the Rays in 2019. What was once former top 50 overall prospect Jake Bauers’ position to lose is now an open slot on the Rays roster after the Rays recently put all their chips on Yandy Diaz.
They could explore the market for an external option, they could use what they have on the major league roster and rotate guys in and out, or they could dip into Durham. The major league quantities are known: Ji-Man Choi, Yandy Diaz, and possibly Brandon Lowe or Daniel Robertson could all fill in, but none are natural first basemen.