MLB Weekly Digest November 14th Edition: Mets Sign Edwin Diaz

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The last week in MLB was about a pair of teams in the National League signing relievers to multi-year contracts, and a starting pitcher inks a one-year contract with his team from last season.

The trumpets are staying in Queens!

Edwin Díaz and the @Mets reportedly agree to a 5-year deal per @MLBNetwork's @JonHeyman. pic.twitter.com/VP8dpaHrfg

— MLB (@MLB) November 6, 2022

New York Mets Sign Reliever Edwin Diaz to Five-Year Contract

We’ve re-signed Edwin Díaz to a five-year contract that runs through the 2027 season with an option for the 2028 season.

Welcome back, @SugarDiaz39! pic.twitter.com/ZNg09whK65

— New York Mets (@Mets) November 9, 2022

The New York Mets have signed reliever Edwin Diaz to a five-year, $102-million contract, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

The deal for Diaz includes an opt-out, a full no-trade clause, and a sixth-year option, says Passan.

Star closer Edwin Díaz and the New York Mets are in agreement on a five-year, $102 million contract, pending physical, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. There’s an opt-out and a full no-trade clause, plus a sixth-year option. The best closer in baseball stays in New York.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 6, 2022

The option for 2028 could make the deal worth $118.25 million over six years.

Edwin Diaz is now the highest paid RP in baseball 💰

(h/t @spotrac) pic.twitter.com/Z8Qe8hWMnk

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 6, 2022

This is the largest contract for a relief pitcher in MLB history, as it dwarfs the five-year, $86-million deal that Aroldis Chapman signed with the New York Yankees in 2016.

The deal also includes deferred payments that Diaz will not receive until 2042.

Diaz was the best reliever in the National League last year, as he posted a microscopic 1.31 ERA (61 games) with 32 saves, 118 strikeouts, 18 walks allowed, three home runs surrendered, a 297 ERA+, 0.90 FIP, and 0.83 WHIP.

When Diaz entered a game, the Mets were confident they would emerge victorious as he had only three blown saves last season.

The Mets signing Diaz to deal early in free agency was smart as they can focus on addressing other needs for the team.

San Diego Padres Sign Reliever Robert Suarez to Five-Year Deal

The San Diego Padres have signed reliever Robert Suarez to a five-year, $46-million contract, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

Breaking: Robert Suárez and the Padres are in agreement on a 5-year deal worth $46 million, sources say. The contract includes an opt-out after 3 years. @MLBNetwork @MLB

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 10, 2022

The deal includes an opt-out after the third season, says Morosi.

Suarez was terrific in his first season in the majors with the Padres last year.

He accumulated a 2.27 ERA (45 games) in 47 2/3 innings pitched with 61 strikeouts, 21 walks issued, four home runs allowed, a 166 ERA+, 3.22 FIP, and 1.04 WHIP.

Robert Suárez’s five-year, $46M contract with Padres, per source:

*$10M each in 2023, ‘24, ‘25
*Player opt-out after year 3
*$8M each in 2026, ‘27
*Protection/upside if Suárez closes: $3M in games finished incentives each season, starting at 25 GF and maxing out at 55 GF.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 13, 2022

Before last season with the Padres, Suarez played five years in Japan’s NPB, compiling a 2.81 ERA across 205 innings.

Suarez was one of the better relievers available on the free-agent market and it was a smart move by the Padres to sign him to a long-term deal.

The next thing the Padres will focus on is trying to sign starting pitcher Yu Darvish and outfielder Juan Soto to long-term deals.

Los Angeles Dodgers Sign Starting Pitcher Clayton Kershaw to One-Year Deal

According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Los Angeles Dodgers are bringing back starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw for a 16th season.

Dodgers great Clayton Kershaw and the team are in agreement. Deal thought worth close to $20M for 2023. @Ken_Rosenthal was on it

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 11, 2022

Says Heyman, Kershaw will make close to $20 million for the 2023 campaign.

Kershaw was a free agent last winter but signed a one-year, $17-million deal with the Dodgers.

The left-handed pitcher was selected as an All-Star for the ninth time in his career last season, posting a 2.28 ERA in 126 1/3 innings pitched (22 starts) with 137 strikeouts, 23 walks yielded, 10 home runs allowed, 184 ERA+, 2.57 FIP, and 0.94 WHIP.

Kershaw leads the franchise with 2,807 strikeouts.

He ranks third in team history 197 wins, behind Don Sutton (233) and Don Drysdale (209).

The Dodgers signing Kershaw for another season was logical as it would be hard to imagine him playing for another club.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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