MLB Rumors: Mets could keep it in the family at trade deadline

A potential Mets trade involving Reds closer Alexis Diaz has gained more traction recently. There’s a real possibility New York could reunite the Diaz brothers at the trade deadline.

If the Mets manage to bring over closer Alexis Diaz at the trade deadline, New York will get the “Big Apple” and challenge Philly for the title of the city of brotherly love.

The New York Mets have toyed with an Alexis Diaz trade before, but the franchise may actually be getting serious about one this season. According to John Heyman of the New York Post, the Mets recently sent scouts to evaluate the Cincinnati Reds closer, who remains firmly on New York’s radar ahead of the August 1 trade deadline.

After Edwin Diaz’s unfortunate injury, the Mets have been looking for a closer to elevate their bullpen, now ranked 20th in the league. Why not keep it in the family and go after another Diaz?

The younger Diaz has been not-so-quietly putting together a torrid sophomore season through 25 appearances. In his first year as the Reds’ full-time closer, he’s 14-for-14 in save opportunities and owns a 1.48 ERA and 0.82 WHIP, allowing just 11 walks.

Primed for his first All-Star nod of his career, Alexis Diaz is making out to be a hot commodity in the trade market. The biggest obstacle in the way of him donning blue and orange? New York would likely have to give Cincinnati a “haul of prospects” with an added emphasis on young pitching.

NY Mets are keeping Edwin Diaz’s brother, Alexis Diaz, on their trade radar

In Edwin Diaz’s absence, the Mets’ bullpen has slowly but steadily sank to the bottom of the league. The group has an average 4.32 ERA with 228 strikeouts.

By contrast, the Reds relief corps ranks at the top of the league in ERA and strikeouts, and much of the credit belongs to the elite form of Alexis Diaz. Diaz is under team control until 2027, making him much harder-to-get from the Mets’ perspective.

One could see why the Mets, riding off the limp coattails of David Robertson, desperately need a high-leverage closer. But one could also see why the Mets aren’t going to get Diaz, not unless they want to hand over their darling top prospects.

Following New York’s humiliating sweep against the Braves this past week, change is a-coming. The Mets can get their ducks in a row in preparation for an Alexis Diaz trade in August, but should his asking price be too high, it’s always good to have a backup plan or two.