New York Mets: Edwin Diaz is the closer they wanted for so long

The New York Mets made a huge trade with Seattle this winter to acquire closer Edwin Diaz. He’s the late-inning dominator they have needed for a long time.

During the winter, New York Mets newly minted general manager, Brodie Van Wagenen, made it clear that the New York Mets are not going into the 2019 season in rebuilding mode. Instead, true to his word, Van Wagenen traded for Edwin Diaz. A young flame-thrower Diaz was slated to be the new closer in Flushing. The man known as “Sugar” is the closer the Mets wanted for so long for.

Along with Diaz, the Mets acquired infielder, Robinson Cano. a former Yankee and client of Van Wagenen. In exchange for Diaz and Cano, the Mets traded Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak, Gerald Bautista, and prospects Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn.

Sugar was not as well known on the East Coast. Most people were asleep at the time when he was called in to save a game, and the Seattle Mariners were not serious contenders for post-season. However, Diaz, In 2018, as the closer for the Mariners, played in 73 games, saving 67 games. His four blown saves prove Diaz is human, but these are incredible numbers for any closer.

Diaz initially made a name for himself as the closer for team Puerto Rico in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. He mowed down team after team to help get Puerto Rico to the championship game against the United States.

Currently, he has six saves with the Mets. The latest save that stood out was the recent game against the Phillies and he overpowered Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins, and J.T. Realmuto, striking out the side, and preserving the Mets victory. There is no question Diaz is a force to be reckoned with.

Some were concerned that Diaz would be intimidated by the bright lights of Broadway. Many come to this town with a history of success only to fall flat on their faces. But Diaz is cut from a different cloth. He thrives on pressure. He wants the ball and his approach on the mound shows the confidence and swagger that the Mets bullpen lacked.

Diaz is one of the new wave of Major League stars from Puerto Rico. Players such as Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor, Eddie Rosario, and Jose Berrios, the latter of which is a good friend of Diaz. Berrios posted on his Instagram account, about Diaz taking him around town on their day off when the Minnesota Twins came to town to play the Mets.

The fact that New York City has the largest Puerto Rican population outside of Puerto Rico, Diaz will develop a huge following if he continues to succeed the way he’s done already. This will be something not seen since the days of Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado at Shea in the ’90s.

It’s still early in the season, but the bullpen needs to step up and establish that bridge to Diaz. Juerys Familia and the rest of the bullpen needs to find their way back from the many subpar performances so far this season.

As of now, Diaz has six saves with the Mets and there will be many more to come. But the rest of the bullpen needs to step up. Otherwise, getting an Edwin Diaz would just be a waste of talent.