NY Mets: 2 players who justified team’s faith and 1 who hasn’t

Was there ever any doubt in Edwin Diaz?

Edwin Diaz is another member of the Mets who has seen his share of criticism. Fortunately, he seemed to turn it all around last year. Haters were quick to point to a “small sample size” from the shortened 2020 season. Diaz has managed to excel again this year, for the first time in front of fans in Flushing since his disastrous 2019 season.

Heading into this season, there was a thought about whether or not Diaz would remain the closer. There wasn’t a big contingency of Mets fans who were ready to toss him into a lesser role. Nevertheless, some were out there and will surely discuss their disgust for him until their dying breath.

Diaz is 10 for 11 in save opportunities through his first 23 appearances. He has a 3.09 ERA and a decreasing walk rate which makes up for fewer strikeouts per nine this season.

Diaz’s numbers may not jump out at first glance. However, his 1.64 FIP nearly matches what he did in his All-Star campaign with the Seattle Mariners back in 2018 when he ended the year with a 1.61 FIP. This is largely due to a lack of free passes and a goose egg on the stat sheet for the number of home runs he has allowed.

There are some who will never trust Diaz. Those stubborn Mets fans need to take a cue from George Michael: they gotta have faith.