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The New York Mets did not waste much time enacting their offseason plans. Just one day after the Houston Astros ended the 2022 MLB season with a Game 6 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series, the first major offseason domino has fallen.
Edwin Diaz figured to be the top target for many teams in need of a bullpen arm after a wondrous campaign with the Mets. Unfortunately for those teams, he is now officially off the market.
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Just briefly after free agency officially began, the team signed its closer to a record-setting deal. Diaz's five-year, $102 million deal is the highest for a reliever in MLB history.
It's also the first time a closer has received a nine-figure contract and in the $20 million AAV range.
Diaz posted 32 saves, 118 strikeouts and a 1.31 ERA in 62 innings this past season. His 3.0 fWAR led all relievers, 0.6 wins above his next closest competitor.
It was a dominant season and a bounceback campaign after he struggled in his previous season in New York.
What's next for the New York Mets?
If there's one thing that's true of the Mets these days, it's that they're not shy about spending money. They gave Diaz a massive contract and they're far from finished this offseason.
As any team with money should, New York will undoubtedly take a look at Aaron Judge. They also have plenty of free agents of their own to sign.
That includes ace Jacob deGrom and center fielder Brandon Nimmo. All told, the team's free agents include:
- Chris Bassitt
- deGrom
- Nimmo
- Trevor May
- Mychal Givens
They have a lot to do in terms of bringing back others. They'll also play the market on a lot of free-agent talent that wasn't in New York last year. There's still a lot of work to be done for the 101-win team, but they've got a headstart on everyone.
With Diaz's deal done, the first major deal of the MLB offseason is official. More deals will start coming in soon as a result.
