The New York Mets missed the postseason last year, and the team is under heavy pressure to perform better in the upcoming season. With one of the biggest payrolls in baseball, missing the playoffs is seemingly unacceptable for the franchise and its passionate fanbase.
The Mets had an incredible offseason last winter, making significant moves to bolster their roster. However, there is a chance they could take a few steps back this offseason due to key players hitting free agency. Mets slugger Pete Alonso is headed to free agency, drawing much attention. Equally important is star closer Edwin Diaz, who is also set to enter the free-agent market.
The Athletic’s Jim Bowden recently projected that Diaz could sign a massive $88 million contract this winter. Meanwhile, Bob Nightengale of USA Today predicted the Mets would be able to retain Diaz in free agency—an outcome that would be a huge step in the right direction for New York.
The Mets have no excuse to lose Diaz. He has been the heartbeat of their bullpen for years while being paid well below his true value. Given that the Mets seemingly have the deepest pockets in baseball, offering Diaz close to $100 million to keep him in Queens for the next four or five seasons shouldn’t be a big hurdle.
Retaining Diaz is a big deal. It would lock up one of the best closers in baseball for the foreseeable future, providing stability and strength to the Mets’ bullpen. Having a strong bullpen is crucial for winning in October, and one of the game’s best closers will continue to take pressure off the rest of the team as they push for postseason success.
https://www.newsweek.com/mets-predicted-to-sign-88-million-star-pitcher-after-missing-postseason-11019245
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