Report: Mets open to trading Diaz

The New York Mets might not even get a full season out of Edwin Diaz.

After acquiring the hard-throwing closer from the Seattle Mariners in a blockbuster deal involving Robinson Cano last December, the Mets are open to dealing him ahead of the July 31 trade deadline, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN.

It appears the asking price for Diaz will be high, however, with one executive telling Passan the Mets are "asking for more than they gave up for him."

Diaz, Cano, and cash were acquired from Seattle for prospects Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn, as well as Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak, and Gerson Bautista. Kelenic is ranked as the No. 22 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline.

"I'm happy to be here. It's out of my control," Diaz said after learning of the trade rumors, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. " ... I'm just here to do my job. I know that this is a business.

"Nothing breaks my focus," Diaz added. "When I'm on the mound, I'm only focused on pitching."

After a remarkable 2018 campaign that earned him a trip to the All-Star Game and Cy Young consideration, Diaz's first season in the Big Apple hasn't gone as well.

His ERA (4.81) and WHIP (1.42) are career highs and he's walked nearly as many batters this season (13) as he did last year (17).

Nonetheless, Diaz is still viewed as an elite closer who is still striking out hitters at a high rate (13.96 per nine) and saving games (22 in 26 chances).

He's also under team control until the end of 2022, earning a modest $607,425 this season. He's arbitration-eligible for the first time in 2020.

Other closers mentioned in trade rumors leading up to the deadline include Ken Giles, Will Smith, Kirby Yates, and Felipe Vazquez, with the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Minnesota Twins all reportedly in the running for a ninth-inning arm.