The New York Mets find themselves in a precarious position with Edwin Diaz, their established closer, on the mend from a severe right knee patellar tendon tear. With Edwin's return uncertain, the Mets are investigating alternatives for this pivotal role.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the team's scouts have trained their lenses on Alexis Diaz, the younger sibling of Edwin Diaz, who currently throws for the Cincinnati Reds.
Last season, Alexis, 26, emerged as a bright spot in the MLB, and his performance hasn't gone unnoticed. As Cincinnati's primary closer, he has managed a perfect record, successfully completing all 14 save attempts in his inaugural year.
The Puerto Rican pitcher boasts an impressive stat line this season with a 2-1 record and a 1.48 ERA in 25 games. He has an impressive 0.82 WHIP and 46 strikeouts over 24.1 innings. Alexis has proved particularly elusive for opposing hitters, with a meager .111 batting average against him and just 11 walks allowed.
Despite the enticing performance and prospects of Alexis, any potential deal would come with challenges. The Reds would likely demand a substantial exchange of prospects to consider parting ways with their closer. However, with a deep farm system, the Mets may be willing to part with some of their future talents to shore up their current roster.
The Mets' urgency for a solution has been underscored by their ongoing struggles. Their current losing streak extended to six games after a 10-13 defeat to the Atlanta Braves on June 8.
Currently ranked 23rd in the MLB with a team ERA of 4.61, the Mets' bullpen performance has been lackluster, posting a 9-11 record and a 20th place ranking with a 4.17 ERA.
Alongside the void left by Edwin Diaz's injury, the Mets face another challenge in boosting their offense, which has averaged a mere 2.8 runs in their last five games. The situation is further exacerbated by first baseman Pete Alonso's injury, who was recently hit by a pitch and had to return to New York for treatment.
Given the Mets' aspirations to compete for the World Series this year, the team could opt for significant roster adjustments. If their current struggles persist, a move for Alexis Diaz or other potential contributors might be in the offing.
