Edwin Díaz is staying put in New York.
And the New York Mets are paying the best closer in baseball a historic amount to make that happen.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported Sunday that the Mets and Díaz are “closing in” on a five-year, $102 million contract. The 28-year-old reliever would have been eligible for free agency, which begins Thursday.
The #Mets are closing in on re-signing All-Star closer Edwin Diaz to a 5-year, $102 million contract.
It will be the largest contract for a reliever in history.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 6, 2022
Díaz made his second All-Star team this season en route to a 1.31 ERA and 32 saves. Díaz has averaged 37 saves per year in his last four full seasons, not including the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. Of course, don’t overlook the entertainment value that Díaz brings with his trumpet-filled entrance from the bullpen to “Narco” by musician Timmy Trumpet.
https://twitter.com/genymets/status/1589373921006342144
The MLB world seemed to disagree on the deal’s fallout. Some believe the Mets and Diaz both helped themselves with the contract, while others point out that money could be better spent elsewhere.
“The Mets get a top priority locked up before full free agency starts on Thursday,” tweeted ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
“A lot of money for a guy who can only help you for an inning every other day,” pointed out Matthew Bullard.
“Good deal for the Mets. Good deal for Edwin Díaz. That’s a win-win signing right there,” tweeted another user.
The Edwin Diaz deal, which @bnightengale reported, is the first nine-figure contract ever for a closer and for the first time takes the position into the $20 million-plus range. A huge number — and the Mets get a top priority locked up before full free agency starts on Thursday.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 6, 2022
https://twitter.com/thirdcoastcards/status/1589374601212985344
A lot of money for a guy who can only help you for an inning every other day
— Matthew Bullard (@MattBullard14) November 6, 2022
I know how good he was this year, but there is almost no way he lives up to this contract. He basically has to be perfect for the next 5 seasons.
— Aron (@TheDudeAbides_x) November 6, 2022
https://twitter.com/JonesBeliever/status/1589373918074507265
Good deal for the Mets. Good deal for Edwin Diaz. That's a win-win signing right there.
— Ben K. (@bkabak) November 6, 2022
