The New York Mets and closer Edwin Diaz agreed to a five-year, $102 million deal on Sunday, pending a physical. His $102 million deal is a new record for a relief pitcher, beating Aroldis Chapman's $86 million deal with the New York Yankees. Diaz will receive a $12 million signing bonus and an opt-out clause after three years of the deal. The contract also includes a full no-trade clause through the opt-out year. The 28-year-old hard-throwing right-hander is deserving of the deal, as he was one of the most dominant relief pitchers in 2022, posting a career-low 1.31 ERA (0.90 FIP), a 0.84 WHIP, 32 saves and 118 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched. On a Mets team that should be very good again in 2023, Diaz will be a high-end fantasy closer in 2023 yet again.

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz picked up his 32nd save of the season in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Nationals in Game 1 of a doubleheader. Diaz entered the game in the eighth inning up by two with two outs and a runner on second. He got the third out of the inning on a strikeout and stayed on to pitch the ninth, delivering a 1-2-3 inning with no strikeouts. The 28-year-old has been one of fantasy's most reliable closers once again in 2022, converting all but three save opportunities with a 1.31 ERA and a 17.13 K/9 rate. He is currently tied for the seventh-most saves in baseball, but his strikeout potential is far and away greater than any other closer.

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz earned a four-out save in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Brewers. Diaz came in to pitch up by two with two outs in the eighth inning and a runner on first. He got the final out of the inning on a strikeout and then delivered a 1-2-3 ninth inning with two more strikeouts. Diaz has been one of fantasy's top closers once again this season, converting 31 of 34 save opportunities with a stellar 1.40 ERA and 17.07 K/9 rate. While some of fantasy's premier closers have faltered this season, Diaz will remain a top option for the rest of this season and in the 2023 season as well.

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz pitched well in an exciting 6-3 win over the Yankees Tuesday. Diaz came into the game in the eighth inning with two outs and a runner on first with a two-run lead, striking out Joey Gallo to end the half-inning. He stayed in to pitch the ninth inning, allowing a leadoff single before getting another strikeout, allowing Aaron Judge to reach on his own throwing error, and then getting the final two outs on strikeouts. Diaz has been a fantasy stud once again this season and now has 22 saves to go with a 1.55 ERA.

New York Mets All-Star closer Edwin Diaz, who will become a free agent after this season, said he wants to remain with the team. "I would love to stay [a Met]," Diaz said. The 28-year-old right-hander has been one of the best late-inning relievers in baseball this year and was named to his second All-Star team by going 2-1 with a 1.69 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 20 saves in 37 1/3 innings pitched in the first half. He also has a career-high 51.7% strikeout rate and 8.3% walk rate. Diaz is averaging two strikeouts per inning pitched, which is incredible. Fantasy managers can keep Diaz locked into their starting lineups moving forward.

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz picked up his 19th save of the season in convincing fashion in Monday's 4-1 win over the Braves. Diaz entered the game to protect a three-run lead against the heart of the Braves' order and sent them down 1-2-3 with three strikeouts. Diaz has been a high-end fantasy closing option once again this season, converting all but three saves with a 1.73 ERA and a stellar 18.08 K/9 rate.

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz closed out the team's 2-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday to earn his 10th save of the year. He pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out two. Diaz was charged with his second blown save of the year in his previous appearance this past Thursday, so it was nice to see him rebound in a strong way. The 28-year-old has a 2.00 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP on the year to go along with a stellar 4.3 K/BB rate.

New York Mets reliever Edwin Diaz recorded his eighth save of the season on Saturday in the Mets' 5-4 win over the Mariners at Citifield. Facing his former team for the first time, Diaz struck out the side in the ninth inning. Diaz has been excellent to begin the 2022 campaign. In 15 games, Diaz has converted eight of nine save opportunities and has posted a 1.80 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, and recorded 27 strikeouts in 15 innings pitched. He remains an elite relief option in all formats and should be active on all fantasy rosters.

New York Mets reliever Edwin Diaz recorded his sixth save of the season on Thursday as his club erased a 7-1 deficit in the ninth to win the ball game 8-7. The right-hander handled his 18-pitch frame with ease by retiring the side in order, which included picking up two strikeouts to give him 21 K through 12 IP on the year. Diaz has been sharp so far in 2022 by allowing just two earned runs and converting all but one of his save opportunities to date. His job is safe as the closer for the first-place Mets, making him a sure-fire top-five closer the rest of the way.

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz picked up his fifth save of the season in Tuesday's Game 1 5-4 win over the Braves. Diaz came in to pitch the ninth up by one. He struck the first two hitters out, allowed a single, and got a groundout to end the game. The 28-year-old has now converted five of six save opportunities with a 1.64 ERA, 19 strikeouts, and five walks over 11 innings pitched this season. He has been one of fantasy's top closers over the past several seasons and has performed exactly as anticipated so far this season.

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz picked up his second save of the season in Monday's come-from-behind 5-2 win over the Cardinals. The Mets were down 2-0 heading into the top of the ninth inning but were able to rally for five runs, setting the stage for Diaz. He pitched a relatively clean ninth inning with no hits, a walk, and two strikeouts to seal the deal. The 28-year-old has converted two of three save opportunities this season with a 2.25 ERA, 14 strikeouts, and four walks through eight innings pitched. The saves may not be there yet, but the overall performance has been, so fantasy managers should be patient and keep their trust in Diaz.

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz picked up his first save of the season in Tuesday's 2-0 win over the Phillies. Diaz came in to pitch the ninth inning against the top of the Phillies lineup. It wasn't the cleanest outing, as he did allow two singles, but those singles came in between three strikeouts to seal the game. It was the 28-year-old's first appearance since returning from the bereavement list, and it was nice to see him get into the save column. Diaz has been one of fantasy baseball's top closing options for much of his career, and this season should be no different if the Mets team can play as well as they look on paper.

The New York Mets have activated closer Edwin Diaz from the bereavement list. He will be available for Tuesday night's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Diaz only wound up missing three games and the Mets lost two of them. Adam Ottavino closed out the team's only victory while Diaz was gone; it was a 5-0 defeat of the Washington Nationals on Saturday. Diaz pitched the ninth inning in the team's first game of the year, a 5-1 victory over the Nationals, but he is still awaiting his first save opportunity on the season.

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz was placed on the bereavement list on Saturday by the Mets following the passing of his grandfather on Friday. Diaz will likely miss the next few games as he will be traveling to Puerto Rico to be with his family. Look for Trevor May, Seth Lugo, and Adam Ottavino to share closing duties in Diaz's absence should a save situation arise for the Mets over the next two-to-three games.

The New York Mets avoided salary arbitration with closer Edwin Diaz on Tuesday by settling on a one-year, $10.2 million deal on his birthday. Diaz had 32 saves, a 3.45 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a 34.6% strikeout rate in 62 2/3 relief innings as the Mets closer in 2021, and he'll enter this year entrenched as the ninth-inning man yet again. The 28-year-old right-hander has some well-documented collapses with the game on the line in New York in the last three seasons, but he's still one of the better fantasy closers in the game. Diaz has 173 career saves in six big-league seasons, including a career-high 57 with the Seattle Mariners back in 2018. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 7 fantasy closer this year.

New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz saved his 32nd game of the year Friday, finishing off a 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves. He struck out two and did not allow a baserunner. Diaz has now gone six straight outings without giving up a hit or a walk, though he has hit two batsmen in that time. He's converted 32 saves in 38 tries, and despite his tumultuous year will enter 2022 as a top-10 relief pitcher once again.

New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz saved his 31st game of the season in the first half of Tuesday's doubleheader, allowing no baserunners and striking out two in an inning of work. He has now gone six consecutive outings without allowing an earned run. Despite a less-than-sparkling reputation, Diaz has converted on all but six opportunities this year, registering a 3.50 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP, and 87 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings. He should still enter 2022 as a top-5 relief pitcher.

New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz worked a clean ninth inning to preserve the Mets 3-2 win over the Phillies on Sunday evening. Diaz struck out one batter in his one inning of work. Diaz now has 30 saves in 36 save opportunities to go with a 3.62 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and an 83:23 K:BB ratio over 59 2/3 innings pitched on the season. He remains a top-tier fantasy reliever based on his firm grasp on the closer role in New York. A better closer in fantasy than real life, Diaz should remain active in all fantasy formats through the remainder of the regular season. He can provide managers with saves and elite strikeout totals.

After blowing his last two save opportunities, New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz finally converted his 29th save of the season on Sunday in the Mets 7-6 win over the Yankees. Called on the preserve a one-run lead in the ninth inning, Diaz got the job done despite allowing two baserunners on a hit and walk. He struck out two in his one inning of work as well. Diaz now has 29 saves in 35 save opportunities (six blown saves) to go with a 3.81 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and an 82:23 K:BB ratio over 56 2/3 innings pitched on the season. He remains a top-tier fantasy reliever based on his firm grasp on the closer role in New York and high strikeout totals, notwithstanding his occasional epic meltdowns and stress-inducing saves. Clearly a better closer in fantasy than real life, Diaz should remain active in all fantasy formats through the final 18 games of the regular season.

On Monday, New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz recorded only one out in a second failed attempt to pick up his 29th save of the season in the Mets 4-3 loss to the Nationals. Diaz, called on to preserve a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, allowed two earned runs on two hits and two walks in blowing his sixth game of the season and second in as many save opportunities. Diaz picked up the loss, as his record fell to 5-5 on the season. He now owns a 3.93 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP, and a 79:22 K:BB ratio in 55 innings pitched on the season. He has converted 28 saves in 34 save opportunities and owns elite underlying stats including a 34.6% strikeout rate and a 2.58 FIP. Despite his recent struggles, it is unlikely that the Mets will remove Diaz from the closer role where he had previously been pitching lights out. Diaz, a much better fantasy asset than a reliable closer in real life, should remain active in all fantasy formats.