Mets seem intent on blowing their chance to trade Edwin Diaz

The New York Mets seem to have a ripe selling opportunity on Edwin Diaz, but they reportedly just won’t do it.

Even after a blown save on Sunday, New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz has a 2.77 ERA with 28 strikeouts (19.4 K/9) and eight walks over 13 innings this season. At 15-19, the Mets could look to sell high after Diaz had a rough 2019.

But, according to Andy Martino of SNY and Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Mets have fielded calls on Diaz and have told teams he’s not available.

Diaz has more blown saves this year (three) then converted saves now (two). A 2.90 FIP lines up well with his ERA though, and the Mets don’t seem inclined to give up on him even after a rough first season with the team in 2019 (5.59 ERA). Two more years of arbitration eligibility is surely a factor in wanting to keep him, but on the flip side it’s also a selling point in trade talks.

Why won’t the Mets trade Edwin Diaz?

According to Passan, teams still want to buy low on 2018’s major league leader in saves (57, with the Seattle Mariners). What the Mets gave up to get Diaz and Robinson Cano from Seattle in December of 2018, namely top prospects Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn, is also a big factor in not giving up a win-now ghost just yet. Kelenic was ranked as a top-11 prospect in all of baseball by three outlets (Baseball America-No. 11, MLB.com-No. 11 and Baseball Prospectus-No. 7) heading into this year.

Pitching is always in demand at the trade deadline, and this short season is no different. While the Mets can be commended for holding a line, perhaps right up to the last minute before the deadline Monday afternoon in the hope an offer they want comes in, they are also blowing a chance to move Diaz before things possibly go south for him. When it comes down to it, the Mets will always Mets.