PORT ST. LUCIE — You’d by no means know the way a lot frustration Edwin Diaz confronted just some years in the past. The 28-year-old nearer got here to the Mets as an All-Star in a hotly-debated commerce with the Seattle Mariners forward of the 2019 season and fell aside. He had the worst season of his profession within the recreation’s largest market.
Now, he’s not solely one among baseball’s finest closers however the richest too, having been awarded a five-year, $102 million contract in November. Diaz reported to spring coaching Tuesday completely happy to nonetheless be with the crew that helped him flip issues round.
“I love being here with the Mets,” he mentioned Tuesday at Clover Field. “They gave me the opportunity to stay here with them. Looking forward to winning a championship here.”
Diaz wasn’t shy about vocalizing the Mets’ World Series ambitions, regardless of it nonetheless being the center of February. Each yr since Diaz was traded to New York, the membership has anticipated to contend for titles, solely to disintegrate in the summertime. Last yr, the Mets lastly made it again to the postseason and felt they even underachieved after having led the NL East for a lot of the season.
Diaz was a key piece of that 101-win crew going 3-1 with a 1.31 ERA and 32 saves in 35 alternatives. He’s hoping for a repeat season for himself.
“I’ll try to do the same thing as last year,” Diaz mentioned. “I try to be my sharpest every day and help the team win.”
Diaz doesn’t plan on altering something, apart from his hair, which he lightened in anticipation of the World Baseball Classic, a practice for Team Puerto Rico stemming from their efficiency within the 2017 event. He mentioned he’ll nonetheless throw his similar two pitches — a fastball and a slider — and he’s undoubtedly retaining his walk-out track, “Narco,” by Blasterjaxx and Timmy Trumpet.
Diaz additionally modified nothing about his winter pitching program, regardless of enjoying later into the season than normal. He wished to be prepared for the WBC and in form by the point spring coaching rolled round.
A extra outgoing, extra profitable Diaz is keen to get the season going.
“I’ll keep throwing my two pitches,” Diaz mentioned. “And striking everybody out.”
OPENING DAYS
In latest years, the Mets have wasted no time in asserting their Opening Day beginning pitchers. But this yr the Mets will assist two different groups open up their dwelling slates earlier than heading dwelling to open their very own at Citi Field. They’ll play eight video games in a row, with the eighth at Citi Field, and Showalter would favor to make use of one among his aces within the dwelling opener.
This would imply that the membership would shuffle the rotation for the primary two collection. A sixth starter could possibly be used however doubtless gained’t be, so the Mets are nonetheless mulling their choices for the house opener on April 6.
NATIONAL DELICACIES
Buck Showalter has been sampling a few of Port St. Lucie’s finest institutions: Chipotle and Golden Corral.
Chipotle, the ever present Mexican fast-casual chain identified for customizable burritos and burrito bowls, has lengthy been a favourite of minor league athletes in baseball and past due to their beneficiant parts for the value level and their quite a few nationwide areas. But this was information to Showalter, who appears to have lately found the restaurant and lately realized about on-line ordering.
“I think half our team was in there last night,” he mentioned. “You can order on your phone, did you know that? I got one of the clubbies to do it for me.”
With the Mets beginning the common season in Miami, the crew is planning on holding its last exercise of spring at Clover Field earlier than touring south. The good thing about this?
“One more night at Golden Corral,” Showalter mentioned.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com