Key Takeaways
- • Edwin Diaz departed the New York Mets after seven years, opting out of a five-year, $102 million contract to sign a three-year, $69 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers at $23 million annually—the highest annual salary for a reliever.
- • Mets owner Steve Cohen publicly expressed bewilderment at Diaz's decision, claiming the Mets' offer was competitive and potentially superior, while characterizing the departure as "perplexing" during a Friday radio interview with broadcaster Howie Rose.
- • Cohen revealed the Mets strategically signed reliever Devin Williams as a "hedge" against Diaz's potential departure, describing the move to President of Baseball Operations David Stearns as "really clever."
- • Diaz responded through ESPN insider Alden Gonzalez, asserting he exercised his free agency rights by meeting with all interested teams, praised the Dodgers' recruitment efforts, and affirmed respect for the Mets organization despite his departure.
- • The transaction underscores tensions between ownership expectations and player free agency decisions in professional baseball, with both parties maintaining professional courtesy while disagreeing on the merits of the split.
Summary
Edwin Diaz's transition from the New York Mets to the Los Angeles Dodgers triggered a public back-and-forth between the All-Star reliever and Mets owner Steve Cohen, revealing friction over a high-profile free agency decision. Diaz opted out of his remaining five-year, $102 million contract with the Mets to accept a three-year, $69 million deal with Los Angeles, which carries an annual salary of $23 million—the highest average annual value ever paid to a relief pitcher, surpassing Diaz's own previous record.
During a Friday radio interview with broadcaster Howie Rose, Cohen expressed puzzlement over Diaz's choice to leave after seven seasons with the organization. Cohen stated: "I did find that one perplexing. I'm not sure exactly how Edwin arrived at that decision, obviously it's a personal decision, and I thought we made a pretty respectable bid — I could argue our bid might've been better." Cohen further disclosed that the Mets had mitigated risk by signing reliever Devin Williams, describing the move to baseball operations leadership as "really clever" and "a good hedge in case things didn't work out with Edwin."
Diaz responded through ESPN insider Alden Gonzalez, defending his free agency process and decision-making. The reliever stated: "It's a market I was in. I was a free agent, so I got the chance to talk with everyone. And I think the Dodgers did a great job recruiting me. At the end of the day, I chose to be here." Diaz maintained professional respect for the Mets organization, adding: "I have a lot of respect for the Mets organization, players, staff, ownership. They treated me really good. I don't have anything bad to say about them. But at the end of the day, I'm here."
Diaz's seven-year tenure with the Mets—excluding a 2023 season limited by injury—established him as the franchise's primary closer. During his time in Queens, he compiled a 2.93 ERA with 253 saves across 519.1 innings pitched, following his acquisition from the Seattle Mariners where he had recorded 57 saves in 2018. The public exchange reflects broader dynamics in professional baseball where ownership investment and player autonomy can diverge significantly, even amid mutual acknowledgment of respect and professionalism.
During a Friday radio interview with broadcaster Howie Rose, Cohen expressed puzzlement over Diaz's choice to leave after seven seasons with the organization. Cohen stated: "I did find that one perplexing. I'm not sure exactly how Edwin arrived at that decision, obviously it's a personal decision, and I thought we made a pretty respectable bid — I could argue our bid might've been better." Cohen further disclosed that the Mets had mitigated risk by signing reliever Devin Williams, describing the move to baseball operations leadership as "really clever" and "a good hedge in case things didn't work out with Edwin."
Diaz responded through ESPN insider Alden Gonzalez, defending his free agency process and decision-making. The reliever stated: "It's a market I was in. I was a free agent, so I got the chance to talk with everyone. And I think the Dodgers did a great job recruiting me. At the end of the day, I chose to be here." Diaz maintained professional respect for the Mets organization, adding: "I have a lot of respect for the Mets organization, players, staff, ownership. They treated me really good. I don't have anything bad to say about them. But at the end of the day, I'm here."
Diaz's seven-year tenure with the Mets—excluding a 2023 season limited by injury—established him as the franchise's primary closer. During his time in Queens, he compiled a 2.93 ERA with 253 saves across 519.1 innings pitched, following his acquisition from the Seattle Mariners where he had recorded 57 saves in 2018. The public exchange reflects broader dynamics in professional baseball where ownership investment and player autonomy can diverge significantly, even amid mutual acknowledgment of respect and professionalism.
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