According to a source, Mets scouts have been tracking Reds star closer Alexis Diaz, who is 14-for-14 in saves. The Mets’ biggest issue is an underperforming offense. But relief depth is probably issue No. 2, and adding a closer to combine with David Robertson — especially Edwin Diaz’s brother — would be huge.
No trade talk yet, but the resurgent Reds would seek young pitching back.
The trouble is, acquiring the junior Diaz would take a haul of prospects. And the Mets like to keep prospects. …
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hinted at why he has announced he won’t ever play for the Yankees, telling The Post, “It’s a family thing.” Guerrero added, however, that he promised his father, the Hall of Famer, he wouldn’t go into specifics. …
The Mets made the right call to only present offers they likely knew would be refused by Jacob deGrom, who’s out until at least the second half of 2024 and might need his second Tommy John surgery. The Mets’ offer is believed to have been in the $105 million-$110 million range over three years, close to $80M less than he received from Texas. A Mets person called the decision to basically pass on deGrom a “no-brainer.”
Texas gambled big with some pitching pickups, and Cy Young candidate Nate Eovaldi is more than making up for deGrom. At $34M for two years, he’s the deal of the winter.
One of Texas’ underrated big signings was manager Bruce Bochy, whom they made the game’s highest paid manager with a deal estimated at $6M per, including extras, basically matching his salary for his last three years in San Francisco. Can’t argue with that for the three-time World Series champion. …
Marlins rookie manager Skip Schumaker is drawing praise over their 35-28 start. “He holds players accountable,” one Marlins person said.
The Marlins’ trade for Luis Arraez was generally knocked since they gave up solid starter Pablo Lopez and well-regarded infield prospect Jose Salas. But Arraez is hitting .403 through 63 games and threatening to become the first to win a batting title in one league and follow by winning one in the other league.