Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Read original
🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
The New York Mets lost to the lowly Atlanta Braves on Wednesday as their grip on a top playoff spot slips away.
After leading the National League East division this season, the Mets fell all the way down to the final wild card spot, where they hold just a one-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds following Wednesday’s loss. Their star-studded lineup has struggled to produce offense and their rotational depth has crumbled amid the rough patch.
But one star has continued to play his way into a big new contract.
Closer Edwin Diaz earned his third career All-Star nod earlier this year as he returns to his top form following a harsh injury in the World Baseball Classic and then a bit of a regression last season. So far in this campaign, he has a 1.60 ERA with 23 saves and 67 strikeouts in 45 total innings.
After signing a record $102 million deal with the Mets three years ago, Diaz is facing an opt-out at the end of this season and his strong production makes it virtually inevitable that he will exercise it.
“He’s one of the few relievers worth a big-money contract,” Mike Axisa wrote for CBS Sports. “Thriving in New York after early adversity with the Mets is another feather in his cap. That’s not easy.”
Given Diaz’s value on the open market, Axisa predicted he would exit his current deal and leverage his opt out into an extension with the Mets, rather than explore any offers from other teams as a free agent.
“Diaz’s current contract includes a $17.25 million club option for 2028,” Axisa added. “An extension could guarantee that, then add another club option for 2029. That would pay him $55.5 million from 2026-28 plus whatever the buyout of that 2029 option is.”
All told, that would tack on another year with the Mets for Diaz while keeping him from opting out to join another team. After another strong season in Queens for the closer, that seems like a potential win-win.
More MLB: Yankees Reveal New Injury for Former MVP After Twins Loss, Injured List Possible
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Read the full article here
