BY MARK HALPERN
This off-season the Mets have a number of needs including the outfield and pitching (both starters and bullpen). Edwin Diaz, opted out of his contract to test the market. Diaz, is arguably one of the top 3 closers in Baseball and had become a fan favorite after a rocky first season. The Mets had made him an off season priority but, Diaz chose the Los Angeles Dodgers for the tune of three years $69 million dollars, whereas the Mets offer was the same three years for $66million “But there was room for more” and ultimately, he chose the Dodgers.
Two days earlier the Mets made an interesting move in signing New York Yankees closer Devin Williams to a 3 three year 51-million-dollar contract. This move made Mets fans scratch their heads but it was understood he would be the gateway to Diaz but that is no longer the situation.
One theory that I have has nothing to do with the financial terms of the contract. I personally think this came down to the decision of chasing a World Series ring before his time is up. I think Diaz believed in going to the Dodgers and playing for a team that has won 2 straight World Series championships and riding the wave with this monster of a team and getting himself a ring. Baseball isn’t the loyalty sport it once was anymore, meaning players go where the money is. Mind you three million dollars isn’t a ton of money (especially to Steve Cohen) but, the Mets have a ton of needs (none more important than signing Pete Alonso) and even though the $$$ isn’t the question it’s about the business of it more today than in the days of yore. Loyalty has gone out the window over the years having fans and some team owners trying to make a salary cap but that will never happen in Baseball.
Diaz will be missed and not hearing that Trumpet call before he comes out to close a game out will be one of the major things I will miss.
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