Mets want Edwin Diaz’s brother as new closer, but here’s the Reds’ price

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Alexis Diaz (43) plays during a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

The Mets are trying to replace injured closer Edwin Diaz with his brother, but his team is driving a hard bargain.

Steve Cohen’s club inquired about Alexis Diaz this month after his older brother suffered a season-ending knee injury playing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, but the Cincinnati Reds have firm demands that the Mets may not be willing to meet, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale:

The New York Mets asked about Cincinnati Reds closer Alexis Diaz last season, and again this month after the season-ending injury to his brother, Edwin Diaz, but the answer remains the same.

Unless the Mets are willing to trade their top prospects in return, the answer is NO.

The Reds have Diaz under team control for five more years so they aren’t even thinking about moving him unless completely blown away in an offer.

While celebrating Puerto Rico’s 5-2 win over the Dominican Republic last month, Edwin Diaz hurt his knee and was carried off of the field. He then was transported in a wheelchair. His brother Alexis was in tears on the field in the immediate aftermath of the sequence.

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Edwin Diaz, 28, signed a five-year, $102 million contract with the Mets this offseason, making him the highest-paid closer in league history. The 2022 All-Star selection put up a 1.31 ERA for the Mets last year in 32 game appearances.

MORE MLB:

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- Ex-Yankees prospect traded away: ‘I haven’t looked back a whole lot’

- Ex-Mets closer, dumped by 1 team, finds another quickly

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Brian Fonseca may be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com.

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