ORLANDO — Regardless of some earlier rumblings on the contrary, the Yankees weren’t in on former Mets nearer Edwin Díaz in any respect.
“No,” Yankees common supervisor Brian Cashman flatly mentioned when requested Wednesday on the Winter Conferences.
That ought to not come as a shock, because the Yankees have an economical nearer in David Bednar and usually keep away from expensive contracts for relievers. That’s precisely what Díaz bought from the back-to-back champion Dodgers, as he spurned the Mets and agreed to a three-year, $69 million take care of Los Angeles on Tuesday.
The contract set a mean annual wage report for a reliever, as Díaz will earn $23 million per 12 months.
The Mets, in the meantime, will flip to Devin Williams as their nearer after signing the ex-Yankee to a three-year, $51 million pact. Williams misplaced that job twice within the Bronx final season; Cashman beforehand mentioned that the Yankees didn’t ship a proper provide his approach.
Díaz, 31, is coming off one other All-Star season, as he recorded a 1.63 ERA and 28 saves for the Mets. He has a 2.82 ERA and 253 saves for his nine-year profession.
“Obviously, Díaz is a hell of a pitcher. I’m glad that he didn’t land in the American League somewhere,” Cashman mentioned, including that he anticipated the fee for remaining relievers to extend.
Along with Bednar, the backend of the Yankees’ bullpen consists of setup males Fernando Cruz and Camilo Doval and side-arming left-hander Tim Hill. Brent Headrick and Jake Hen are among the many different inside choices for reduction jobs, and the Yankees additionally used a Rule 5 Draft choose on Cade Winquest on Wednesday.
Nonetheless, the Yankees would profit from buying established arms for his or her pen.
Cashman did point out being in contact with Luke Weaver’s rep – the free agent has been a Yankee for the reason that finish of 2023 – and the Bombers have additionally expressed curiosity in Brad Keller, amongst others.
“We’ll probably add something along the way to fortify it even more,” Aaron Boone mentioned. “But the bullpen is always one of those things that comes together organically, and normally has been a strength for us. That’s my expectation again.”
