Unlike the Toronto Blue Jays, the New York Mets didn’t do enough this season to warrant a playoff spot. The Mets’ campaign is now over. For a team that handed out over $1 billion in contracts last winter, this season going the way it did was certainly a disappointment.
As the Blue Jays look on toward the postseason, that’ll be their focus. However, whenever the campaign ends, there will be some difficult decisions they have to make in free agency. At the top of that list will be shortstop Bo Bichette, but there are also reasons to believe the Mets could help out the Blue Jays in some sense.
With Edwin Díaz set to hit the free agency market, depending on whether he opts out of his contract with the Mets, the Blue Jays could be a decent landing spot.
When searching for the top landing spots for the right-handed, Zach Pressnell of Sports Illustrated named the Blue Jays as one of them.
“The Toronto Blue Jays could emerge as a top suitor for Diaz for a few reasons. The Blue Jays need to add some talent to their bullpen this winter, as it’s been one of the key weak points on the team.
“Bo Bichette is going to be the Blue Jays’ top priority this winter, but adding a star closer will likely be a close No. 2. Diaz should be the Blue Jays’ top option,” he wrote.
Do the Blue Jays Need a Player Like Edwin Díaz?
There’s plenty that has to play out over the next few months for the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, and Díaz himself. If the Blue Jays win a World Series, they might not believe they need to go after a player like Díaz.
However, even if they were to win it all, continuing to add talent should be the plan. Mark W. Sanchez of The New York Post had some intriguing thoughts on what could happen, noting that he also could test the market or attempt to find a new deal with the Mets. At this point, it certainly isn’t a guarantee that he’ll leave by any means.
“The situation is a bit more complex with Díaz, who is coming off a marvelous season (1.63 ERA with 28 saves) and would have two years and $37 million left on his contract, plus a club option for 2028 worth $17.25 million, if he opts in.
“He could test the market. He also could hash out a new pact with the Mets, who worked out a five-year, $102 million contract to retain Díaz in November 2022 before he could reach free agency,” he wrote.
Edwin Díaz Remains Undecided Over Mets Future
Regarding whether Díaz is considering leaving the New York Mets or trying to sign with a team like the Toronto Blue Jays or another club around the league, he stated after the Mets’ season finale on Sunday that he’s yet to decide what he wants to do.
“Not yet … I was waiting for the season to be) over to go home and talk to my family,” Díaz told reporters, via SNY. “Always, I like to make the decision with my family. I want my family to feel comfortable, feel part of my decision.
“Now, I’m going home (to) start thinking about that, and we’ll see what happens in the future.”
The next few weeks will say a lot about what the Blue Jays have to do in the offseason. Hopefully, some of those questions will be answered if they win a World Series.