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When Edwin Díaz responded to comments from Steve Cohen about his departure from the New York Mets, he didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t fire back. He didn’t even hint at tension.
According to Jack Harris from the California Post, he simply told the truth.
“I was a free agent… I chose to be here.”
That’s not betrayal. That’s leverage.
For years, Mets fans embraced Díaz as the trumpets blared at Citi Field. He was dominant, emotional, and, at times, nearly unhittable. He signed a record-setting deal with the Mets once before, betting on himself and on the organization. This time, he listened to the market—and the market pointed him toward the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Again, Jack Harris reported that Cohen called it “perplexing.” But from Díaz’s perspective, it wasn’t complicated at all.
Free Agency Isn’t Personal—It’s Strategic
Let’s be clear: the Mets reportedly came close financially. The difference wasn’t astronomical. But free agency is rarely about just one number.
It’s about trajectory.
Díaz made it obvious what mattered to him—competing for a World Series. The Dodgers didn’t just sell sunshine and payroll flexibility. They sold stability. They sold a culture that has made deep October runs routine. They sold a clubhouse identity that Díaz has already praised publicly.
When Díaz talked about “clubhouse chemistry” and how “different players from different countries… get together and have fun,” he wasn’t throwing shade at Queens. But he was highlighting something that matters to veteran players chasing rings: cohesion.
The Mets are still building theirs.
That doesn’t mean New York is dysfunctional. It means Los Angeles has been the more proven postseason machine. And for a 31-year-old closer with a finite window, that calculus matters.
The Mets’ Reality Check
If there’s any tension here, it’s philosophical.
Cohen has built his reputation on aggressive spending and ambition. The Mets have operated like a franchise that believes money can close any gap. In many cases, it can. But free agency has evolved. Players weigh infrastructure, analytics departments, travel routines, and postseason odds as much as AAV (Average Annual Value).
Díaz choosing the Dodgers isn’t a knock on the Mets. It’s a reminder that New York still hasn’t become the automatic destination it wants to be.
That stings.
Especially when it’s your former closer—a three-time All-Star—calmly explaining that he simply preferred another environment.
From the Mets’ perspective, losing Díaz forces a re-evaluation of the bullpen hierarchy and the emotional identity he brought to the bullpen. His entrance wasn’t just theatrics; it symbolized contention. Replacing that production is one challenge. Replacing that presence is another.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: Díaz didn’t owe the Mets loyalty beyond his contract. He honored it. He performed. He hit free agency. He evaluated his options.
What stood out most wasn’t what Díaz said about the Dodgers. It was what he didn’t say about the Mets.
No bitterness. No cryptic commentary. Just respect.
Because this isn’t a scorched-earth exit, it’s a clean break. And if the Mets are truly building something sustainable, they can’t frame every departure as confusion or disbelief. Sometimes, players just choose a different path.
For Mets fans, the trumpets will echo differently this season. But indignation shouldn’t replace perspective.
Díaz chased a ring.
The Mets are still chasing proof.
And until New York consistently offers that proof in October, moments like this won’t be perplexing at all—they’ll be predictable.
Alvin Garcia Born in Puerto Rico, Alvin Garcia is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on MLB. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, covering mostly baseball. More about Alvin Garcia
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