MLB Best: Is Craig Kimbrel the Best Reliever in Baseball?

3. Edwin Diaz (New York Mets)

Edwin Diaz led the league in saves last season with 57 along with earning his first All Star appearance.

It seemed like every time I turned on a Mariners game, he was pitching. Every night he would be out there, and dominating. It was like he had a rubber arm because the Mariners were in one run games almost every single night, and their bullpen was not particularly strong, but Diaz came in and shut down the opposing lineup.

On top of the 57 saves, he held an ERA of 1.96 (career high), with allowing only 16 runs all season in over 73 innings pitched. He made it to his first All Star Game in Washington along with his four other teammates including Robinson Cano, Mitch Haniger, Jean Segura, and Nelson Cruz.

This off season Diaz and his all star teammate Robinson Cano were traded to the New York Mets for Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak, and three prospects including Jared Kelenic.

I really like Diaz in a Mets uniform. Before this off season, you did not really know who the closer was every night, and now they have one of the best closers on the game, in addition to Jeurys Familia, who re-signed with the club this off season as well.

Now if the Mets rotation can just stay healthy, pitch into the seventh inning of games, the Mets will be contending for a playoff spot after the All Star break.

Diaz is projected to have another great year, but obviously not better than last year’s fantasy season. He is projecting to have an ERA of around 4 with 30 saves with allowing just 23 earned runs.

I could not put Diaz in front of my #2 relief pitcher because he had another huge year and was known as the best reliever in the National League last season…