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By Drew VonScio
Contributing Sports Writer
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The New York Mets know Edwin Diaz is one of the best closers available in free agency this winter, and they know it's going to take a large contract to bring him back.
Almost every projection to date has him signing a deal that is worth over $80 million, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are also projected to be in on him for that price. However, a recent report shows his price tag has reportedly gone up.
Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon are now reporting Diaz is seeking a nine-figure deal this winter.
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"By opting out of the final two years and $38 million of that (former) deal, he essentially created his first — and potentially last — chance to test the open market," they wrote for The Athletic. "Diaz, who turns 32 in March, is coming off one of his best seasons, one in which he produced a 1.63 ERA with a 38 percent strikeout rate and 8.1 percent walk rate in 66 1/3 innings. The deal he wants, according to a person briefed on his wishes, is essentially the same one the Mets gave him the last time.
Diaz signed a five-year deal worth $102 million in 2022 with the New York Mets, an average annual value of $20.4 million per year. As Rosenthal and Sammon noted, this is likely to be the only time Diaz is a free agent in his career where he has the negotiating power to sign a large contract.
Over the course of six seasons with the Mets, Diaz has averaged 24 saves with the organization, including 32 in 2021 and another 32 in 2022 prior to signing the major extension. His ERA has been under 1.75 in two of the last three seasons with his WHIP under 0.90 in those same years. He has proven to be one of the best relievers in baseball currently.
His supposed wishes aren't much different than the recent projections, but it's just enough that may make some teams balk at his asking price. For the Mets, though, they need to pay him what he deserves if they want to avoid embarrassing themselves again next season.
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