Red Sox, Dodgers still in on Edwin Diaz

With the trade deadline just two days away and a relative dearth of elite relievers on the market, the Mets are still having conversations with multiple teams about closer Edwin Diaz, though the price remains high enough that there is significant skepticism he will get moved at all.

The right-hander is having the worst statistical season of his career, but still shows flashes of the dazzling stuff that inspired the Mets to bring him over in a blockbuster trade this past offseason - and he still has three more years of team control. The Red Sox are among the teams reportedly interested, per Buster Olney, and the Mets would be expecting one of their top infielder prospects in Bobby Dalbec or Triston Casas in return.

Additionally, as reported by Andy Martino, the Dodgers may be considering adding Diaz to shore up their bullpen behind Kanley Jansen. With the long period of team control, the Mets have no urgency to move Diaz, hence the high asking price. Any move would have to bring in sufficient talent to help fill the resulting hole in a bullpen that is already thin, which is the same problem that led to Diaz’s acquisition in the first place.

It would also be a bit odd to move Diaz, considering the not insignificant package that went to Seattle for Robinson Cano and him. To give up on the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade half way through the first season, with the aforementioned years of control still ahead, is an odd look for a team that just yesterday traded for a starting pitcher to help them in the near future.