HOUSTON — Star free agent nearer Edwin Diaz goes for a reduction report wage, definitely per yr and certain in whole deal, too. Which is what he ought to do. And the anticipated ask shouldn’t — and doubtless gained’t — discourage the Mets from attempting laborious to re-sign him.
Phrase is he’s trying to “break new floor” off his superb season, and that undoubtedly means increased than Liam Hendriks’ report $18M annual nearer wage, and really doubtless Aroldis Chapman’s report $86M, five-year whole contract, too. The Mets would in all probability want to get it completed for fewer than 5 years however understandably do have him as a precedence amongst their seven excellent free brokers. (I listing my very own picks for Mets free-agent priorities so as under.)
Diaz has reworked into baseball’s finest reliever, and if there’s one place that’s nonetheless underpaid, it’s nearer. We see it within the postseason, the place stars Josh Hader and Emmanuel Clase are enormous weapons. Diaz would have been, too, had the Mets survived San Diego.
Diaz is aided in his contract purpose by a skinny reduction market, the place solely the very veteran Kenley Jansen is wherever shut (and not likely that shut). Jansen’s previous Dodgers group is amongst big-market groups that would use Diaz, and whereas issues labored amazingly for him in Queens (and he raised his profile together with his stirring walk-out track), phrase is he'll take heed to outdoors curiosity.
However right here’s one plus for the Mets, whose second- and third-best relievers are additionally free brokers: there’s been a worth ceiling on relievers. Think about Jacob deGrom and Diaz pitched about the identical variety of innings this yr (and Diaz’s innings had been all in tight video games), and deGrom is probably going in search of twice as a lot cash — in all probability a Max (Scherzer) deal, which carries a special which means in MLB than the NBA.
If deGrom actually desires to high Scherzer’s present report $43.3 million deal, it in all probability gained’t be with the Mets, who're very analytically inclined and aren’t positive his 64 ¹/₃ 2022 innings add as much as $43 million-plus.
The argument in opposition to is that relievers are unpredictable, however the nice ones should not, and that the large offers for the current reduction stars, for Craig Kimbrel, Jansen and particularly Aroldis Chapman, went south.
However not like Chapman, Diaz is a large clubhouse plus. The Mets know this, and he had a pleasant dinner on the residence of householders Steve and Alex Cohen, who’s bilingual and had a really good dialog with Diaz’s spouse Nashaly, in keeping with Edwin.
Right here’s a have a look at my Mets priorities:
1. Edwin Diaz:
He dominated this yr, and was the group’s MVP (together with Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor).
2. Brandon Nimmo
Nimmo has improved each offensively and defensively, and there’s no comparable middle fielder in the marketplace (except you rely Aaron Decide as a CF) and the Mets want to not transfer Starling Marte again to middle.
3. Taijuan Walker
He’s been an excellent signing, and the Mets have a rotation scarcity, with solely Scherzer, David Peterson and Tylor Megill underneath contract, and phrase is Carlos Carrasco’s $14 million possibility is a harder name than one may suppose attributable to damage historical past (there’s a $3 million buyout).
4. Chris Bassitt
He’s earned large bucks with an excellent common season and is beloved across the group, however together with his two worst outings coming within the two largest video games, it’s an fascinating query.
5. Adam Ottavino
He was excellent in his setup position. The Brooklyn native lives in Westchester, so perhaps the Mets have the within monitor.
6. Seth Lugo
Their third-best reliever additionally put himself in wonderful place with one other stable season.
7. Jacob deGrom
Sure, he’s the sport’s most proficient pitcher, and perhaps ever. However at 34, he’s a threat. The preliminary learn: Mets individuals will attempt to retain him however will draw a line, and that line gained’t essentially surpass $40 million. Their finest probability could be if others think about his questionable dependability, as nicely, reducing the value.
Post a Comment