Edwin Diaz becoming a member of Dodgers was ‘perplexing’ to Steve Cohen

Edwin Diaz’s defection to the Dodgers nonetheless isn’t fairly including up for Steve Cohen.

The Mets’ proprietor was requested throughout an interview with longtime radio voice Howie Rose concerning the star nearer bolting for the two-time defending World Collection champions in free company this winter after seven years in Queens. 

Cohen nonetheless gave the impression to be looking for a solution for a way issues labored out, as Diaz signed a three-year, $69 million contract with Los Angeles.

“I did discover that one perplexing,” Cohen mentioned.

“I’m unsure precisely how Edwin arrived at that call. Clearly, it’s a private determination on his half and I assumed we made a fairly respectable bid.”

The Mets provided the 31-year-old Diaz $3 million much less however reportedly had “wiggle room” to go larger.

The three-time All-Star mentioned throughout his introductory press convention with the Dodgers that his determination wasn’t concerning the cash. 

“It wasn’t straightforward. I spent seven years in New York — they handled me nice,” Diaz mentioned. “I selected the Dodgers as a result of they’re a profitable group. I’m seeking to win, and I feel they’ve every part to win, so selecting the Dodgers was fairly straightforward.”

Diaz and the Mets reached the postseason simply twice throughout his seven years there, together with shedding to the Dodgers in six video games within the 2024 NLCS.

The Mets had been ready if issues didn’t go their method with Diaz, having already signed nearer Devin Williams to a three-year, $51 million pact.

Cohen praised David Stearns, his president of baseball operations, for his ahead considering.

“When it was getting scorching and heavy when this was coming down,” Cohen mentioned, “I felt fairly good about the truth that we had signed Devin Williams. I described it to David, that was fairly intelligent as a result of it was a extremely good hedge in case it was an unfavorable final result with Edwin.”

Diaz was among the many greatest closers in Mets historical past and was coming off a season with a 1.63 ERA and 28 saves, even because the workforce collapsed and missed the playoffs by one win.

His departure was a part of an overhaul of the workforce’s roster after that disappointing end.

Stearns didn’t re-sign Diaz or Pete Alonso and traded away Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil.

Cohen, like most Mets followers fell among the uneasiness of breaking apart the core of the franchise.

“I felt it too, by the way in which,” Cohen mentioned. “The gamers that left had been the gamers that I began with in my possession, Day 1. And so I had developed fairly shut relationships with a few of these gamers. From a private standpoint, I actually felt it. First time I’ve ever been by means of one thing like that. That creates anxiousness when individuals go away.”