Edwin Diaz is just 28 years old; he’s entering the prime of his career. The Mets, entering a pivotal offseason for the franchise, made sure the best closer in baseball remains in Queens.
Diaz and the Mets agreed to terms on a five-year, $102 million contract, the club announced on Wednesday. It’s the richest contract for a reliver in history, surpassing the Aroldis Chapman five-year, $86 million pact with the Yankees as the largest.
“Edwin has every attribute we look for in a closer,” Mets general manager Billy Eppler said. “He’s a tremendous competitor, has a burning desire to be the best and possesses the stuff to compete with any hitter in the league. We are thrilled he’ll be anchoring our bullpen moving forward.”
Diaz would’ve been a hot free agent on the market, free to sign with any team for the first time in his career. Team owner Steve Cohen, rightfully so, didn’t let that happen.
32 saves in 35 opportunities while holding batters to a .160/.230/.216/.446 slash line were All-Star numbers in 2022 for Diaz. He was key to the success of the Mets under first-year manager Buck Showalter. Winning teams make sure they have a stopper in the bullpen, Edwin Diaz became that and more for the Mets.
The entrance from the bullpen, with “Narco” by Blasterjaxx & Timmy Trumpet, along with his on-field success, elevated Diaz to a fan favorite at Citi Field. When Showalter pointed towards the bullpen, fans didn’t leave their seats and wouldn’t move from their television sets until Diaz began his trot towards the pitcher’s mound.
It took some time for Diaz to settle in after the Mets acquired him from Seattle, in the December 2018 which also included Robinson Cano. He blew seven saves in 2019, with a 5.59 ERA, a nightmare scenario for a reliever being paid to close games.
In 2020 and 2021, however, Diaz began to find his groove. By 2022, he became must-see TV for not just Mets fans, for all of baseball.
For Edwin Diaz and the Mets, the contract includes an opt-out after the 2025 season, a $20 million team option for 2028 and a full no-trade clause.
Anthony Rushing is on Twitter @TonyRushingNY
Baseline Sports NY is on Twitter @Baseline_NY
