Edwin Diaz focuses on closing doorways, however he's leaving the door for a return to the Mets very a lot open.
The star reliever, who generally is a free agent after the season, mentioned he's hopeful he’s not in the midst of his final season in Queens.
“If they offer me the possibility, I’d love to remain right here,” Diaz mentioned earlier than the Mets’ 5-2 loss to the Marlins at Citi Discipline on Friday. “My household feels comfy right here in New York. I really feel comfy right here with the crew. I like my teammates.
“Wanting ahead to see if I can keep right here.”
Barring a late-season extension, Diaz will hit the open marketplace for the primary time on a excessive be aware. The nearer has 18 saves, a 1.89 ERA and is on a record-setting tempo for strikeouts.
Diaz, who didn't pitch Friday, punched out at the least two batters in every of his previous 5 appearances — all scoreless — bringing his strikeouts-per-nine-innings mark as much as 17.8.
Amongst pitchers with at the least 40 innings pitched in a season, the all-time file belongs to Aroldis Chapman, who struck out 17.7 per 9 in his 2014 marketing campaign with the Reds.
Diaz, who has allowed only one run in his previous 14 ²/₃ innings, is flirting with historical past that ought to assist make him an All-Star when the reserves are revealed on Sunday. He has locked down the Mets’ ninth innings (and infrequently eighth) and put himself on the radar as a high arm within the upcoming free-agency season.
The 28-year-old mentioned the Mets haven't talked to him about an extension. Different potential Mets free brokers, together with Brandon Nimmo and Chris Bassitt, even have expressed curiosity in returning however have mentioned the membership has not introduced up extensions throughout the season.
“I’m specializing in the season proper now,” Diaz mentioned. “I wish to assist this crew to win, and let’s see what occurs sooner or later.”
After a tough first season in Queens, during which he allowed 15 house runs in 58 innings, Diaz has quieted considerations and rediscovered the shape that made him a Mariners All-Star. 12 months 4 with the Mets has been Diaz’s greatest since he and Robinson Cano came to visit within the oft-revisited Jarred Kelenic swap.
Diaz’s 100-mph fastball and wipeout slider have by no means been in query, however his command wavered in earlier seasons. He mentioned this offseason he made throwing first-pitch strikes a objective, which has elevated his recreation. Diaz had thrown a strike within the first pitch of an at-bat a career-high 69.7 % of the time this season, up from 60.2 % final 12 months.
The opposite main change for Diaz has been throwing his slider considerably greater than he had earlier than. His fastball at all times has been his lead pitch, however a slider hitters batted simply .171 in opposition to has change into his most frequent weapon, thrown 54.4 % of the time.
“I simply observe the catchers,” mentioned Diaz, a relentless in a bullpen that has had ups and downs. “They name all 9 innings, so once I are available within the ninth, they know the varieties of hitters.”
That’s the sort of consolation along with his crew and teammates that has him open to a different 12 months with the Mets.
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