The Mets are adding Devin Williams to the back of their bullpen on a three-year contract. That gives them an established closer if Edwin Díaz signs elsewhere, but it apparently won’t completely shut the door on Díaz staying in Queens.
Anthony DiComo of MLB.com was among those to report that the Mets still have interest in re-signing Díaz. It seems Williams is on board with that plan, as DiComo writes that the new signee is open to pitching in a setup capacity if the Mets bring back their incumbent closer. Díaz rejected a qualifying offer and is reportedly seeking a deal in the five-year, $100MM range. At last month’s award ceremony, the three-time All-Star put the chance of a reunion around 50-50. “If they came with the best deal for me, I’d enjoy to stay with them,” Díaz told reporters at the time, “but at the end of the day, I don’t know what they’re thinking.”
The Williams signing presumably reduces the odds of a Díaz return. The Mets might feel more comfortable walking away and collecting a compensatory draft pick now that they no longer need a closer. Yet they certainly still need to add in the late innings. Tyler Rogers, Ryan Helsley, Gregory Soto and Ryne Stanek also all hit free agency. If Williams were penciled into the ninth, Huascar Brazoban would be their most established right-handed setup man. They should bring in another two high-leverage relievers at least.
Díaz is also simply an upgrade over Williams in the ninth inning. While there’s reason for optimism in the latter’s track record and underlying metrics, he’s a bit of a gamble coming off an uneven year with the Yankees. Díaz has no such concerns, as he posted a 1.63 earned run average while striking out 38% of opponents across 66 1/3 innings last season. He went 28-31 in save chances. That’ll be reflected in their respective contracts, but the bullpen would look a lot more formidable with Williams in the eighth and Díaz back in the ninth.
The Blue Jays are the only other team that has been publicly linked to Díaz this offseason. Teams like the Dodgers, Giants, Yankees, Tigers, Red Sox, Cubs, Diamondbacks and Angels could also be in the mix for high-leverage bullpen help.
When your starters can barely last 5.0 innings, you may need 3 closers…
Diaz-Williams-Minter isn’t enough of a pen.
Which is why they might sign Framber Valdez to get an inning eater that makes it easier on their bullpen
Or knock the Reds’ socks off with a trade offer for Hunter Greene.
Totally reasonable
Diaz should be a future Dodger. Dodgers should get Diaz and Suarez along with a premium bat in the outfield and call it the day.
That is such a dodgers thing to do but sadly that has a decent chance of happening since they are in the running for tucker
Diaz and Suarez should first look at the Dodgers track record for the number of pitchers on the IL the last couple of years.
Getting Diaz as well would be huge.
I always liked the idea of established 7, 8 and 9 guys. Would be cool if they were doing that.
Pitchers get hurt on every team.
metzfan if it’s just about money they will resign Diaz and you forgot to mention they have Mintor
Getting Williams for the 8th inning tells me Cohen is gonna get crazy this off season. Best way to get rid of the bad taste of last year is to commit to about half a billion dollars in salaries.
Either they dont sign diaz- huge mistake
Or they just gave $51milion to a set up guy with a 4.79 era
lolmets are back!
And lolchandlerbing is trolling again.
Might as well load up on RPs/Closers. Starters seem to want the big money but only pitch 4 or 5 innings every 5 days. Overpriced and overrated compared to the Big Boys of the past that would go 9+ innings.
Old York: You’re right about the pitchers of the past, but it isn’t SPs who pull themselves out after five innings. It’s over-managing by their managers.
Are they getting Framber, or Ranger, or Zac Gallen ?
G’s and Diaz. LOL.
Just like last year with Montas, Stearns bids against himself and overpays early in the offseason. Clearly Diaz is gone. It’s really gonna sting when he doesn’t bring Alonso back
Senga will be closing games for the Mets.
They should move Holmes back to the pen.
And this will be unpopular but I would bring back rubber arm Stanek. I don’t think the guy has ever been on the IL. That’s pretty dang underrated.
They also have a couple of RPers who will debut this year.. guys whose numbers were off the charts.
Any chance Steve Cohen would like to buy the Red Sox?