Mets owner Steve Cohen remains confident in bullpen options

New York Mets owner Steve Cohen is not yet ready to mortgage the future to replace injured star closer Edwin Diaz.

"When you get into a situation like this, I think you stay calm, you don’t overreact," Cohen said during 'The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman' podcast, per Jonathan Lehman of the 'New York Post.'

"I think if you do (overreact), [you have] the tendency to make mistakes or overpay for somebody. We’re going to assess the people we have... It’s a long season, and opportunities come up along the way and that’s how we’re gonna approach it. So, if we need to fill a hole, we’ll fill it, but I don’t see a need to overreact." 

Diaz suffered what Cohen has previously referred to as a "freak" right patellar tendon tear while celebrating a World Baseball Classic victory last week. That setback will keep the 2022 Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year Award winner out for most, if not all, of the upcoming MLB season. 

While the Mets had been linked in rumor with Cincinnati Reds reliever Alexis Diaz, Edwin Diaz's younger brother is not arbitration eligible until 2025 and is under team control through 2027. It's also thought teams such as the Reds won't be willing to trade any valuable relievers ahead of the season unless they are blown away by an offer.

The Mets and Edwin Diaz agreed to a five-year, $102M contract in November. This past Friday, Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of 'The Athletic' noted that "MLB’s insurance would cover Diaz’s 2023 salary of $18.64M" if he doesn't return until next year, while Cohen has suggested the fact the Mets are "getting a rebate on Edwin’s salary for the year" could give them more flexibility heading into the summer trade deadline. 

At least for now, with Diaz out injured, veteran David Robertson appears to be the favorite to work ninth innings for the Mets in early April. Adam Ottavino and Brooks Raley are additional options currently on roster. Joel Sherman of the 'New York Post' wrote Tuesday that Mets GM Billy Eppler will likely "try to improve the depth around" those the above-mentioned trio prior to Opening Day.