Edwin Díaz Signs Five-Year, $102-Million Extension with Mets
Major League Baseball’s off-season has officially begun, and it’s started out with a bang as one of the hottest free-agent attractions appears to be off the board.
On Sunday, the New York Mets reportedly inked closer Edwin Díaz to a massive five-year, $102-million contract extension, according to multiple sources. If completed, it will become the largest contract signed by a reliever in the sport’s history.
Díaz’s contract will include an opt-out, a full no-trade clause and an option for a sixth season in 2028. The deal is expected to become finalized upon passing his team physical.
After earning $10.2 million this past season, the 28-year-old’s new contract will feature a $20.4 million average annual value (AAV), setting a new standard for his position. Aroldis Chapman held the previous record with a $17.2 million AAV. It’s also the first time a reliever has received a nine-figure contract.
The 6-foot-3 hurler is well-deserving of his new deal, as he was widely referred to as the top closer in baseball this past season. He led the majors in strikeout rate (50.2 percent), strikeout-to-walk rate difference (42.6 percent) and fWAR (3.0), according to FanGraphs.
Díaz registered 32 saves over 62.0 innings, ranking seventh in the majors. The right-hander also posted career-bests in ERA (1.31), xERA (1.69), FIP (0.90), xFIP (1.04) and OPP AVG (.158).
However, one of Díaz’s most memorable moments of the season was when Australian musician Timmy Trumpet visited Citi Field in August to perform the closer’s walk-out music. And it quickly became an overnight sensation across the baseball community.
The Mets acquired Díaz – and infielder Robinson Canó – as part of a seven-player blockbuster trade with the Seattle Mariners in 2018. Former GM Brodie Van Wagenen sent five individuals in exchange, with outfield prospect Jarred Kelenic as the centrepiece.
Extending the two-time All-Star on Day 1 of the off-season was crucial for the team as one of the top free agents is no longer available. As a result, management can focus on other areas of need, particularly the outfield and starting rotation.
Jacob deGrom and Taijuan Walker exercised their opt-out clauses on Monday, granting them access to free agency. Fellow starter Chris Bassitt is also free-agent bound after declining his mutual option.
New York controls a $14 million club option on Carlos Carrasco for 2023, but it’s unclear if he’ll return for his age-36 season. The right-hander did, however, post a 3.97 ERA, 4.08 xERA and 3.53 FIP while worth 2.4 fWAR across 152.0 innings in 2022.
Brandon Nimmo’s future is also unclear, as he’s likely to be highly coveted in free agency after hitting .274/.367/.433 with 16 home runs, 64 RBIs and a 134 wRC+ over 151 games. The 29-year-old centre-fielder was worth a career-high 5.4 fWAR, 2.1 points higher from 2021.
The bullpen could also undergo a major transformation, with 11 relievers hitting the open market, including Trevor May, Mychal Givens, Adam Ottavino and Seth Lugo.
So while the Mets have cleared one hurdle by extending Díaz, they’re far from done heading into this off-season.
-Thomas Hall
Twitter: @ThomasHall85
Photo: D. Benjamin Miller.