MIAMI — The Mets have Edwin Diaz issues and have no choice but to remove the man they have consistently and rightfully called “one of the game’s best closers” from his customary closer role, at least for today. There was no.
Timmy Trumpet will likely have to play as a reliever or sweeper, at least for now.
After the Mets’ heartbreaking 10-9 loss to the Marlins, which cast a cloud over the clubhouse and led by four runs in the ninth inning, Diaz admitted two things.
- His confidence is wavering.
- Confidence is the main ingredient for a successful player.
Diaz was arguably the best closer in 2022, earning a record $105 million contract. But after missing last season on loan with a knee injury sustained on the mound at Depot Park, he returned with a host of issues that led to an astonishing run of games and a gut-wrenching defeat.
Even if the Mets reach their lowest point after a disappointing start (two straight losses to the MLB-worst Marlins and a season-worst 5-game sub-.500 record at 20-25), Diaz’s reputation won’t drop any further. Probably not. The consummate professional remained calm during a difficult postgame interview, but he bowed his head and fought back tears as Francisco Lindor and Sean Red Foley kindly comforted him.
Minutes earlier, Díaz had admitted without mincing words that he was having confidence issues, which is not surprising after a series of five games that included three missed saves. . And this match was so bad that he didn’t even qualify. He came in with a monster lead, which caused his save to fail.
“I can’t lie,” Diaz said. “My confidence is feeling low right now.”
Demotion doesn’t usually inspire confidence, but the Mets have no choice but to find a softer spot in the game for Diaz, who has a 5.50 ERA. Coach Carlos Mendoza was asked if removing Diaz as closer was the next step, and Mendoza simply said he needed to talk to his coach and Diaz first.
Mendoza said he considers him “our closer.” Regardless of what is decided at the moment, it will obviously be done and it is fair.
“He’s still our closer and I’m sure he’ll get through it,” Mendoza asserted. “He’s too good a pitcher.”
That’s probably true. But for now, the Mets can’t afford to explode any further. They need to give Diaz a break from the rigors of baseball’s toughest job.
Diaz, who returned to the mound after injuring his knee celebrating Puerto Rico’s World Baseball Classic championship, has struggled through some very good times and some really bad times before establishing himself as the best in the game two years ago. I went through the biggest pitching nightmare of my career. Diaz allowed four doubles and two singles to four batters before being hit by Josh Bell with a home run to center field.
Now there is no more pretending that everything will be fine or speculating that he can still approximate the magic of 2022, which seems far away. Since returning to a major league mound this year, he’s been overlooked, especially compared to his dominance two years ago. His fastball control has been an issue for some time, as has his velocity. (He regularly throws 97 mph, a couple of ticks from his year at internationals, but on Saturday he was hitting 99 mph.)
This time it was a slider, but Mendoza suggested that the slider lacked the necessary bite and moved more like a cutter. Diaz said the problem is location. He wanted to hit a slider, but it went all up. And they were beaten. By his own account, three of his four hits (including the fateful home run) came from a slider. The Marlins won in the 10th inning with only five batters tying the game.
The Mets have more problems than Diaz right now. They include:
Francisco Lindor, the $341 million man who was moved to the leadoff spot, is the only Mets player without a hit, batting .190.
According to Baseball Savant, Jeff McNeil entered the weekend in the bottom 1 percent of all MLB hitters in barrel percentage (although he had two hits from the new No. 8 hole on Saturday).
The Mets currently have an improved offense with DH J.D. Martinez and at least semi-regular Mark Vientos, but heading into Saturday they still rank in the bottom half in nearly every hitting category, with an on-base percentage (.305). ) includes 25th place. , 24th in slugging percentage (.362) and 22nd in OPS (.666).
But there’s no doubt that Diaz is the talk of the moment. The only saving grace (no pun intended) is that the Mets have a decent bullpen, with Reid Garrett, Jorge Lopez, and Adam Ottavino all pitching well. Even with Brooks Lally and Drew Smith out and Diaz needing some breathing room, the overall pen situation is recoverable if it’s not too late.
Once again, Diaz is believed to be the answer. The man is working and he promises to “keep working.” He has not been able to play the closer role very well so far.
