Mets: Robinson Cano, Edwin Diaz are good for the free agent hunt

By bringing in Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz, the New York Mets became a more appealing destination for free agents.

The New York Mets have plenty more to do even after completing their deal with the Seattle Mariners. The addition of Robinson Cano to play, well, somewhere on the infield and Edwin Diaz to close things out are hardly the end of what they must do.

Free agency is the likely place where they find their next pieces. Thankfully, this move may impact the decision of free agents to actually sign with the Mets.

The biggest hurdle facing them this offseason was how they could possibly pitch to MLB nomads why their team was a good fit. Even though Cano and Diaz don’t make them serious contenders, the chips are beginning to fall in place to suggest this team will be better.

Let’s not forget the Mets were only a few games shy of .500 in 2018. They’re not as far away from competing as some may want you to believe.

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Cano may not have a good reputation with fans or even some players for that matter, but he is a veteran who surely has influence around the game. Diaz likely doesn’t know nearly as many of the free agents in this year’s class, however, the idea of pitching in the same bullpen as him may intrigue enough relievers to sign with the Mets.

David Robertson is the one guy I think is clearly becoming a top option for the Mets. He has played with Cano before and would surely enjoy pitching in the eighth inning ahead of Diaz. I don’t think Robertson lands a closer role anywhere this winter other than perhaps signing with a bad team. With this in mind, the Amazins have a chance.

Of course, money and a chance to win are the top goals for any free agent aside from a few outside factors like playing for your hometown team. Cano and Diaz make the Mets better, yes. Now it’s up to one player to decide it makes them good enough so the dominoes can begin to fall and suddenly there’s no denying this team can contend.

MLB isn’t the NBA. I don’t foresee any player openly giving a hard pitch to the free agents why they should sign in Queens.

Nevertheless, the organization increased their odds at bringing in new talent by choice. They may not have been able to get anyone of great value prior to the deal.

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Now with a veteran who can still hit and possibly the best closer in baseball, they are a far more attractive team; one plenty of free agents may want to go on a date with for a few years.