ESPN reported on December 9 that the Los Angeles Dodgers have signed former New York Mets reliever Edwin Diaz to a three-year, $69 million contract, securing the top closer available in free agency.
Diaz’s deal sets a new benchmark for relievers with a $23 million average annual value. Last season, he walked just 14 batters over 66⅓ innings, struck out 98, converted 28 of 31 save opportunities, and posted a 1.63 ERA with the Mets.
On December 12, Diaz met with the media as the newest Dodger and threw some shade at his former team in the process.
“I chose the Dodgers because they are a winning organization,” Diaz told reporters. “I’m looking to win, and I think they have everything to win.”
Moreover, his brother, Alexis Diaz, gave the Dodgers a glowing review that helped the former Mets closer make his decision to head to Los Angeles.
“I did talk to Alexis a little bit when the conversation was getting closer to signing with the Dodgers,” Diaz added (h/t MLB Network). “He told me that they are a really good organization. They treat every player like they are all really good players, which was something I was looking for. He told me great things about the Dodgers. Makes it [an] easy [decision] for me.”
David Stearns Talks to Mets Fans
Despite letting Diaz walk to another National League team, Mets’ president of baseball operations, David Stearns, did address fans during an appearance on SNY who might not be buying into his vision for the team, as their free agent closer heads out the door.
“We are very optimistic and confident about where our organization is headed,” Stearns said on December 9. “We have tremendous ownership support, strong top-end talent at the major league level, and one of the best farm systems in baseball. When you add it all up, we are moving in an outstanding direction.
“I understand that our fan base is frustrated with how our season ended last year. We didn’t meet our expectations and have to do better. I also understand the attachment to players who have been here and performed for a long time. We take that into account when making decisions.
“We also have to make choices that allow us to compete now while fitting into future years, where we want to consistently have a World Series-caliber team and organization. Sometimes that requires tough, uncomfortable decisions, and we’ve made a few this offseason.”
Mets Criticized for Not Keeping Edwin Diaz
Despite the message that Stearns is preaching, New York’s decision to let Diaz walk to Los Angeles isn’t sitting well with former MLB general manager Jim Duquette, who didn’t hesitate to criticize the Mets, considering the figure that the Dodgers paid.
“If it was a three-year deal and it was $23 million, not [$25 million], not [$27 million], not [$28 million], anything like that,” Duquette said during a December 9 appearance on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM.
“It was $23 [million]. And you’re the New York Mets. How is he not returning as a New York Met? Because, again, the thought process was, with the Mets, if things were equal, he would come back as a Met.
“Now, we don’t know the fallout of what the Mets offered him, but they were definitely in on him, and they went and got Devin Williams just as protection in case this happened. But looking at it just from the Mets’ side of things, I’m stunned that it was a three-year deal and the Mets didn’t get him.”
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