Right-hander Edwin Diaz is in the second-year of his record-breaking five-year contract with the Mets, and the $102MM investment has not gone how either side surely hoped it would to this point. After an otherworldly 2022 campaign that saw Diaz pitch to an incredible 1.31 ERA with a 0.90 FIP while striking out more than 50% of batters faced, the right-hander missed the entire 2023 campaign after suffering a torn tendon in his right knee during the World Baseball Classic that spring.
While Diaz has now been healthy enough to take the field in 2024, the results have left much to be desired. Entering play tonight, the 30-year-old had a somewhat middling 3.57 ERA with an elevated 4.09 FIP in 17 2/3 appearances while going just five-for-eight in save opportunities. His struggles have become particularly pronounced since Cubs slugger Christopher Morel left him on the hook for a loss on April 29 by crushing a two-run homer at Citi Field. In six appearances since that loss, Diaz had converted just one of his four save chances and allowed a 5.14 ERA with a 5.70 FIP in 7 1/3 innings entering the Mets’ game this evening against Miami.
Things went from bad to worse against the Marlins tonight, when Diaz blew a four-run lead while recording just one out in the bottom of the ninth against Miami. After the game, the longtime closer admitted to reporters (as relayed by SNY) that his confidence is down following his recent stretch of tough performances. Even so, club manager Carlos Mendoza stood by Diaz in the aftermath of tonight’s loss, reaffirming to reporters (including the New York Post’s Mike Puma) that Diaz remains the club’s closer. At the same time, Mendoza acknowledged the possibility that the club could look to get Diaz some work in “softer spots” for the time being as he works through his struggles. The rest of the Mets bullpen has been fairly solid in spite of Diaz’s struggles, and the likes of Reed Garrett, Jorge Lopez, and Adam Ottavino could all theoretically step into higher leverage roles if Diaz needs to reset in lower leverage spots.
More from around the NL East…
- Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker departed his start on Thursday after taking a hard-hit comebacker off his foot. While testing made clear that he had managed to avoid a break, Walker is nonetheless dealing with a bruise in his left big toe and it’s not yet clear if the veteran will make his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for this coming Wednesday. Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer relays that manager Rob Thomson told reporters this afternoon that he’s “optimistic” about Walker’s ability to make that start, though the club won’t be sure until they see how he reacts to a light bullpen session tomorrow. In the event that Walker is unable to return to the rotation for Wednesday’s start, the Phillies figure to slot right-hander Spencer Turnbull back into the rotation mix.
- The Nationals have been without former top pitching prospect Cade Cavalli since he underwent Tommy John surgery back in March of 2023, but it appears that the 25-year-old hurler is now nearing a huge step in his rehab process. According to Mark Zuckerman of MASN, Cavalli is “ready” to begin a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League. It will be his first appearance in an official game since his big league debut on August 26, 2022. MLB.com’s Injury Tracker indicates that Cavalli will be built up slowly over the course of his rehab, with two or three innings being the goal for his first appearance. The Nationals have been surprisingly competitive so far this season with a 20-23 record that places them in third place in the NL East, and a healthy and effective return to action from Cavalli later this season could be a huge boost for a rotation that already features exciting youngsters such as MacKenzie Gore and Mitchell Parker.
I don’t think the loss to the Cubs at Citi Field was on February 29th.
Try April 29th.
“His struggles have become particularly pronounced since Cubs slugger Christopher Morel left him on the hook for a loss in February 29 by crushing a two-run homer at Citi Field.”
I dont think it would matter what he did during spring training much as he had a ton of rust. But yeah he has struggles a lot over the last month or so. Seems right around the time Raley and Smith went on the IL that the bullpen has had a major turn including Diaz. I think Alvarez was around then too so maybe the catchers are not in sync with the pitchers.
Roll – It wasn’t spring training, they don’t play at Citi Field in February ;O)
That was a mistype. Morel hit a BOMB in Citi field that could shake any pitcher’s confidence. Morel hits tanks
I feel like 7 innings of work is an insanely small sample size to even consider removing your $100 million closer from his role. Shows no trust in your guy.
It’s 17 innings but yes that’s a very small sample size to judge someone off of.
Even Diaz admits to having confidence issues and supports the idea of getting work in low leverage situations to get his head right.
He’s blown like 4 chances in a row, including giving up 4 runs in epic fashion. He’s lost it. Moving him to a lower leverage role temporarily may help, and he can work his way back.
Pitching with a 4 run lead was the low leverage situation.
brandon – Agreed, especially against the lowly Marlins.
If the Mets were contenders, then maybe make the switch … but no reason to not ride it out in a “bridge year”.
This year sure seems like a repeat of his 2019 season.
Gotta love these peripherals-driven contracts.
Pitching in the 9th to get a win is not really low leverage even with a 4 run lead. I’m talking about 6th inning type of relief just to boost his confidence again.
“4 chances in a row”…You don’t give relievers 5 year contracts since they’re so volatile. I Said the same thing about the Hader deal(when he signed and b4 he struggled)and people called me crazy. Look at the best bullpen every year and 95% won’t contain a reliever on a 5 yr deal. Houston’s bullpen has been among the best the last 3-6 yrs and now with Hader(and others) they’ve virtually imploded.
Diaz is proving you can’t spell mets without LOL.
I love how all these ‘fans’ are saying “it’s a small sample size”, yet they DFA’d Michael Tonkin, what, after 2 innings or something like that, no one said small sample size for him, it’s quite hypocritical to say the least.
Different treatment for different people, and no, I am not comparing their abilities as pitchers.
Gore and his 1.4 WHIp really isn’t that exciting
Brew88, gosh you are so right about that. Just saw him throw another gem last night to drop his ERA to 3.04. Yes, every Nats fan rues the day we got him. Dag, maybe Rizzo can deal him for a bag of balls.
You’re trying way too hard. The trade is a loss, and there is nothing that can be done.
The discussion was about Gore. Not the trade. Whether the trade is a loss or not is going to be determined by Wood and others, be they called up or not even called up yet. But it’s par the course for someone here to make an unnecessary rush to judgement on a trade. Talk about trying too hard.
Another successful yr for the metsies
#1 closer in baseball is now #1 loser again
Didnt trade pete now stuck with his garbage ability
Nimmo & mcneil terrible contracts, garbage ability
Signed absolute trash like dj stewart ,ji man choi ,adrian houser, bader. Rookie manager is clueless. The only young studs with potential like alvarez & mauricio are out for the yr. Farm guys to get excited about like jett, acuna, gilbert are off to terrible starts in minors. My preseason prediction was 70-92 but i might be way off. Might be closer to 59-103. Biggest payroll in sports history hahaha
They cant even beat the AAA marlins lol
Meanwhile braves & phils crushing it yet again
Those poor delusional hopeless muts fans
This is why the Yankees moved away from big money relievers. They got burned on the Britton contract and the end of Chapman’s deal. Probably let Holmes go at the end of the year rather than paying big money on a long term deal.
Are the Mets going to can that World Wrestling Federation entrance Diaz has?
EDLOSE DIAZ
LOVE that they used the WBC uniform-clad Diaz picture. It’s not like they don’t have enough Mets-clad Diaz pictures.
Beautifully placed swipe at Diaz, the Mets, and MLB in general.