ORLANDO — Despite some previous rumblings to the contrary, the Yankees were not in on former Mets closer Edwin Díaz at all.
“No,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman flatly said when asked Wednesday at the Winter Meetings.
That should not come as a surprise, as the Yankees have a cost-effective closer in David Bednar and typically avoid pricey contracts for relievers. That’s exactly what Díaz got from the back-to-back champion Dodgers, as he spurned the Mets and agreed to a three-year, $69 million deal with Los Angeles on Tuesday.
The contract set an average annual salary record for a reliever, as Díaz will earn $23 million per year.
The Mets, meanwhile, will turn to Devin Williams as their closer after signing the ex-Yankee to a three-year, $51 million pact. Williams lost that job twice in the Bronx last season; Cashman previously said that the Yankees didn’t send a formal offer his way.
Díaz, 31, is coming off another All-Star season, as he recorded a 1.63 ERA and 28 saves for the Mets. He has a 2.82 ERA and 253 saves for his nine-year career.
“Obviously, Díaz is a hell of a pitcher. I’m glad that he didn’t land in the American League somewhere,” Cashman said, adding that he expected the cost for remaining relievers to increase.
In addition to Bednar, the backend of the Yankees’ bullpen includes setup men Fernando Cruz and Camilo Doval and side-arming left-hander Tim Hill. Brent Headrick and Jake Bird are among the other internal options for relief jobs, and the Yankees also used a Rule 5 Draft pick on Cade Winquest on Wednesday.
Still, the Yankees would benefit from acquiring established arms for their pen.
Cashman did mention being in touch with Luke Weaver’s rep – the free agent has been a Yankee since the end of 2023 – and the Bombers have also expressed interest in Brad Keller, among others.
“We’ll probably add something along the way to fortify it even more,” Aaron Boone said. “But the bullpen is always one of those things that comes together organically, and normally has been a strength for us. That’s my expectation again.”
