Sound the Trumpets, Edwin Diaz Is Still A Met!

[nymr83]

The flip side. Keith Law, writing for The Athletic, is down on the Diaz deal. I read Keith earlier. The entire premise of his article rests on the idea that each player has a value above which a deal is "bad". This may be the case for the Pirates. It may even be the case for top spenders with limits like the Rangers. But the analysis completely falls apart if your view of the underlying economics of the Mets is different: Steve Cohen has more money than most owners and doesn't mind throwing it around. The cost to the Mets in prospect capital, draft capital, and other talent is zero. The cost in "Cohen Bucks" is irrelevant. The other key consideration to me is that the Mets don't have internal alternatives. Rebuilding a farm/player development system doesn't happen overnight. In 5 years, the farm might be developing great in-house relief options but it isn't right now, and retaining Diaz costs nothing but money. If this Diaz deal somehow prevents the Mets from signing Nimmo, or deGrom, or Alonso to an extension, or whatever…then it might be a problem. But do we really think that's the case?

Another (positive) consideration is that with relievers, there is really no concern of a contract "blocking" a roster spot. The downside to Cohen signing say Mark Canha to a 5 year deal isn't the money but the roster spot. Cohen might be willing to eat the money if Canha sucks, but what if he is an average player? they likely won't just jettison the money owed to an average player to sign a better one (as opposed to a BAD player who they view as a sunk cost). this isn't a concern if Diaz is merely average in year 3 of his contract, because the bullpen has 7-8 spots in it

[Edgy MD]

I like the team getting an option at the back end in exchange for the opt-out clause.



If the player is in a decent position to exercise the opt-out, the team can offer to guarantee the option year. It's a starting point for negotiations, if nothing else.

[The Hot Corner]

I believe he can opt out after 2025 and the Mets have an option ($20 M) for 2028. I believe there is a No Trade provision as well.