The Mets signing their talented closer to a huge deal so early in the off-season is a welcome change from the parsimony and indecision of the Wilpon era.
Reports are out that the New York Mets have signed closer Edwin Díaz to a five-year, $102 million contract. My first thoughts were about how much the game has changed where even the top closer is worth over $20 million per year. But mostly, I feel grateful that the Mets were able to lock up one of their most important free agents very early. This will allow them to move on to the other consequential decisions they need to make.
Resigning Díaz was arguably the Mets' top priority heading into the offseason. While there is risk involved in investing so much for any reliever, Edwin Díaz has proven that he can handle the New York market. Díaz survived a simply brutal first season in New York — and all of the media types endlessly whining about how they didn't trust Díaz as the closer heading into this season. Not that I totally trusted him but, as I documented a while back, it's not in my nature to trust any closer.
Besides having such an excellent year — the best season by a Mets closer I've witnessed — Edwin Díaz earned some respect from me from being flexible about being used in spots other than the familiar ninth-inning save opportunities. Many closers are resistant to that sort of usage. But with the way the game is evolving, a closer's willingness to step outside of the traditional comfort zone is important. Especially so if said closer is being paid the highest salary for a reliever in MLB history.
The deal is reportedly for 5 years, with a team option for a sixth season at around the same $20 million per. And, of course, there is also reportedly an opt-out after the third year, because every large MLB contract seems to feature an opt-out these days. Díaz would be heading into his age-32 season at that point. It's hard to see Edwin getting an offer for more money at that point. However, if he's pitching really well, he might push to see if he could get another year or two tacked on to the end. If I were the Mets, I'd be leary about going too deep into his 30s while paying Edwin at such an elite level. But that's tomorrow's worry.
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6 comments:
I love the deferred $ to prevent going over the luxury tax.
Great move.
Yeah, just read about that this morning. Good move
When will they ever learn? First they give up an elite prospect for him (and take on a terrible 4 year contact) and then they give him a long term 100 million $ contract.
IF (a large one at that), Alvarez and Baty pan out, then they provide some pop alongside Pete, Lindor and Marte. McNeil can provide a little, as well. That lineup should be able to carry more of a glove first CF'er like Mangum (or pair him with a veteran that can platoon if need be).
I go back and forth on keeping Nimmo or replacing him with Mangum and using the money for other needs (pitching or even another bat like Trea Turner, for example)
Nice problems to have, compared to the "old days"
Regarding "anonymous".........not trying to be confrontational, but who would you replace Diaz with if you had a say?
I keep hearing folks rip the deal as being "too expensive", yet I don't hear any suggestions on a solution to the issue if you remove Diaz (especially since the rest of the bullpen will also be new).
Let Nimmo walk and plug in Mangum. Was he top 50 prospect? Was he even a Mets top 10 prospect? Sounds like wishful thinking.
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