Here is the latest news and buzz surrounding free agent closer Edwin Diaz and his chances of returning to the Mets…
Dec. 8, 2:46 p.m.
The Blue Jays are “monitoring” the market for Diaz and other high-end free agent relievers, reports Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.
Per Sportsnet, Toronto has recently been showing interest in Robert Suarez, though Nicholson-Smith notes it’s too soon to say whether there’s “meaningful traction” there.
In addition to Diaz and Suarez, the other top reliever on the market is Pete Fairbanks.
The Jays have already made a splash this offseason, inking Dylan Cease to a seven-year deal. They have also been linked to Kyle Tucker, and are interested in re-signing Bo Bichette.
As far as the Mets, they remain interested in re-signing Diaz after inking Devin Williams to a three-year deal.
While they would like to retain Diaz, the Mets have also touched base with the agents for Suarez and Fairbanks, SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino recently reported.
Diaz has been seeking a five-year deal.
Dec. 4, 9:14 a.m.
Jack Curry of YES does not believe the Yankees will pursue Diaz or other top relievers on the free agent market.
Speaking during Wednesday night’s Yankees Hot Stove on YES, Curry said the expectation is that David Bednar will be the closer for the Yanks in 2026.
Curry’s reporting is in line with other recent reporting on the Yankees and Diaz, including from Jon Heyman of The New York Post, who said during a Bleacher Report livestream on Tuesday that the Yanks are not in the market for Diaz.
Multiple reports have indicated that Diaz is seeking a five year contract — a length the Mets might be unlikely to go to.
In addition to the Yanks not being involved, SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino reported earlier this week that the Dodgers were wary of going long-term for Diaz.
As far as the Blue Jays, they have recently been connected to free agent Pete Fairbanks.
Nov. 23, 9:25 p.m.
According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, “contract length is a sticking point in talks” between Diaz and the Mets.
Diaz is reportedly looking for a deal similar to the one he signed in November 2022 – five years, $102 million. The Mets, Sammon noted, are “inclined to prefer something shorter, perhaps three years.”
With the possibility of the Mets not coming to an agreement with Diaz, the organization has already contacted the camps of free agent relievers Devin Williams and Robert Suarez, Sammon added.
Nov. 14, 10:57 a.m.
The Blue Jays met with Diaz’s agents during this week’s GM Meetings, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Rosenthal adds that the Jays are “signaling a willingness” to “spend big and lose draft picks if necessary” this offseason.
Losing picks is something that will happen to any team that signs Diaz (other than the Mets), since he is attached to the qualifying offer, which he will reject.
As it pertains to Toronto and Diaz, Rosenthal reports that the rotation is a bigger priority than the bullpen, where Jeff Hoffman is the current closer.
Nov. 13, 8:15 p.m.
The Mets and Diaz have had discussions about a new deal, but nothing concrete has been talked about yet.
Diaz, who was at the MLB Awards on Thursday night, reiterated that he would “love” to remain a Met.
“I love New York. I would love to stay in New York, but if I have to go another place, I would be happy,” Diaz told reporters, including Newsday’s Laura Albanese. “I want to win a ring, so wherever I go, I want to win a ring and enjoy the time.
“I like the organization. You know, if they came with the best deal for me, I’d enjoy to stay with them, but at the end of the day, I don’t know what they’re thinking.”
Nov. 12, 8:44 a.m.
With Diaz a free agent and the Dodgers searching for a high-end reliever, it seemed they might be a big threat to lure him away from the Mets.
Maybe not.
While the Dodgers are indeed seeking a jolt for their bullpen, they could be deterred by the fact that Diaz has a qualifying offer attached to him, reports Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Per Ardaya, with the Dodgers already owing draft penalties due to exceeding the luxury tax, it could “dissuade” them and other teams in similar situations from making a run at Diaz.
According to The Athletic, Los Angeles has made free agent reliever Devin Williams a target. Williams, who spent last season with the Yankees after being acquired from the Brewers via trade, was eyed by the Dodgers before that deal.
Jon Heyman of The New York Post also reported on Diaz and the Dodgers, noting that “they may not be a big player” for him.
Per Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, the contract Diaz is seeking is “essentially the same one” the Mets gave him after the 2022 season.
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