The hot stove season is upon us again, and while the free agent signing period is a week old already, there have been few signings of substance. This is the time of the year when there is a lot of buzz about what might happen and what should happen, but very little news about what did happen because the players, agents, and front office personnel are busy trying to attract and negotiate the best deal. Time is their friend right now.
So rather than listen to us pontificate about our views on what should happen, let's take a couple days this week to hear from the readers.
Thursday's topic: The Closer
Prior to 2023, few would argue with the statement that the Mets had the best closer in baseball. Edwin Diaz was coming off a dominant season in 2022 where he seemed unhittable. However, the unfortunate events in the WBC in spring 2023 took him out for a season and in 2024 his return was somewhat erratic. He showed flashes of the old brilliance, but also plenty of games where he could not find the strike zone. Diaz is under contract through 2027 making between $17.5M and $18.5M per season.
If you were GM for a day, would you shop for a replacement and trade Diaz, would you go find a future closer to groom as a setup man in 2025, or maintain status quo and just try to improve the middle of the pen?
6 comments:
Here's the rub
Diaz' brain is wired to only close. Taking that role away would be equivalent to cutting off Hercules' hair
Find an ex-closer that could be convinced to go set-up by throwing mad money at him
Oh
The Mets signed last year's leader in AAA saves last season in AAA a few days ago
Here’s one more thought: Diaz has an opt out after 2025. What if, he cleans up his bullshit with base runners and goes on and has a great year. Of course, he will opt out. Remember this post a year from now when everyone is screaming to resign him.
I believe that Diaz will be better in 2025 than in 2024 but not to the 2022 better. The question than should be - does Diaz feel his better enough will command more than the $17.5 to $18.5,
I would construct the bullpen with two very good set up arms (lefty and righty) with an eye to maybe groom one or both to possibly be the future closer.
Don't you mean Samson?
I like Steve’s input. Strong R/L set-up guys will make the pen stronger. Diaz is still the guy, but he has to commit to improving his defense- backing up bases, holding runners.
Jett hurt
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