Call to the pen
Fansided

1 bold prediction for each National League East team in 2023

By Owen Russell

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 07: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Edwin Diaz #39 of the New York Mets speaks to the media before game one of the NL Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field on October 07, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Padres defeated the Mets 7-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 07: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Edwin Diaz #39 of the New York Mets speaks to the media before game one of the NL Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field on October 07, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Padres defeated the Mets 7-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Last season the National League East proved to be baseball’s premier division. Two teams won over 100 games, Atlanta and New York, while a third, Philadelphia, made an improbable run to the World Series. This offseason saw all three teams retool, and upgrade their already stellar rosters. Meanwhile, Miami took a step forward, while Washington made little noise.

Entering 2023, all eyes are on the National League East. Which team will come out on top? And who else will be making a trip to the postseason via Wild Card? Here is one bold prediction for each team in the NL East.

New York Mets bold prediction: Steve Cohen regrets the Edwin Diaz contract

There is no doubt Edwin Diaz took the league by storm last year. The All-Star closer’s ERA hovered just above 1.30 for the season, while dishing out strikeouts at an alarming rate. Not to mention, Diaz laid claim to the coldest bullpen walkout since Mariano Rivera. Due to the pomp and circumstance swirling around him, Diaz netted $102 million over five years, the largest such deal for a relief pitcher in MLB history. I know Mets’ owner Steve Cohen likes to flaunt his deep pockets, but he’ll live to regret this deal.

Entering his eighth big league season, Diaz has yet to show consistency. When he’s on, his ERA is below 2.00 and he is striking out batters better than anyone else at his position. When he’s off, his ERA balloons. In 2019, his first year as a Met, Diaz’s ERA skyrocketed to 5.59. He has since peaked and valleyed for New York, culminating in last season’s dominating performance.

Am I saying that Diaz will return to his 2019 form? Not necessarily. My concern is that Diaz has yet to show the consistency which warrants such a monstrous contract.

New York is stuck with Diaz until 2028. If he performs at his 2022 peak, then all is good. However, I predict Diaz takes a step back this year, despite the big money contract.

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