
For the second time during his tenure with the New York Mets, closer Edwin Diaz received the Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year Award on Thursday.
The free agent later discussed his uncertain future and made comments that may have Mets fans worried about his upcoming decision.
"As of now, it’s 50-50," Diaz responded when asked if it's likely he'll return to the Mets, per Newsday's Laura Albanese. Diaz also indicated he won't leave money on the table when he said his goal is to "just get the best deal for my family" this offseason.
"I love New York," Diaz continued. "I would love to stay in New York, but if I have to go another place, I would be happy. I want to win a ring, so wherever I go, I want to win a ring and enjoy the time."
Diaz was the Mets' top reliever this season. Over 66.1 innings, he posted a 1.63 ERA with a 0.87 WHIP, 98 strikeouts and 28 saves. New York doesn't have a perfect replacement for Diaz in their system, as the 31-year-old might be unmatched across MLB this fall.
"We haven’t talked about a deal, about anything. We just met a little bit," Diaz added about the Mets. "I just want to see what happens in free agency. ...I like the team. I like the organization. You know, if they came with the best deal for me, I’d enjoy to stay with them, but at the end of the day, I don’t know what they’re thinking."
Hours after Diaz spoke, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal suggested that the Toronto Blue Jays might be willing to give Diaz "the same kind of deal he signed with the Mets in November 2022...five years, $102M." It's unclear if Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns would match such an offer for a reliever who turns 32 in March and has a history of experiencing meltdowns during seasons.
"The Blue Jays, according to people briefed on their activity, met with Díaz’s agents from Wasserman at the general managers’ meetings. That’s not necessarily a major development," Rosenthal explained. "Toronto, though, is targeting high-leverage relief as well as starting pitching, and it’s signaling a willingness to both spend big and lose draft picks if necessary."
Diaz previously rejected the Mets' one-year, $22.025M qualifying offer. Thus, the Mets will receive draft compensation if Diaz signs elsewhere.
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