NY Mets Free Agent Class of 2023: 3 big first time free agents

The 2022 free agent class for the New York Mets includes a couple of notable guys. You’ve read about them plenty on Rising Apple. In the coming months, you’ll probably see a lot more.

Something I don’t think too many people have thought about is the following winter’s class of baseball nomads. A group that includes the conclusion of some major league contracts and opt-outs, there are three notable guys reaching free agency for the first time.

Fast-forwarding about 14 months into the future, these three big name Mets have yet to establish themselves as long-term options. Quality at times, what does the future hold for them?

Mets closer Edwin Diaz is a free agent after 2022 and his value continues to fluctuate

One September, I went to my pediatrician. I was around 14 at the time. All I remember was him telling me that “most boys lose weight over the summer, you gained 20 pounds.”

What does this have to do with Edwin Diaz? My weight, like his value, was constantly fluctuating as a teenager. It’s a little more stable now but that’s because I got my act together and figured out what was wrong.

Diaz, on the other hand, hasn’t quite mastered his diet. His 2019 and 2020 seasons couldn’t have been more different. In 2021, he has been as dominant as he has been dangerous.

Overall numbers for Diaz in 2021 probably won’t look too good. What could this possibly mean for his first free agency contract after the 2022 season?

There’s a lot riding on how Diaz performs next year. Health isn’t really an issue like it is with so many other free agents. He has managed to stay on the field, much to the chagrin of some fans who enjoy booing him from the Citi Field grandstand.

With a closer like Diaz, I’m always hesitant to sign him to a long-term deal. Closers can fade fast and Diaz is definitely the type of pitcher that could flame out quickly.

Even the best closers seem to change uniforms often. Craig Kimbrel, Billy Wagner, Francisco Rodriguez, etc. were all constantly finding new homes. I do think Diaz has a few years left to be a closer. However, given the history closers have even in recent years, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Mets let him walk away.

Brandon Nimmo is the big free agent bat in 2022 the Mets will need to re-sign

Oh, Brandon Nimmo. What do we do with you? I think if Michael Conforto walks after the 2021 season, the decision is simple: the Mets re-sign Nimmo.

It is way too beneficial to keep Nimmo around with right field wide open. Conforto walking after 2021 could make for an easy transition to move Nimmo into right field and then possibly add someone from the outside.

There are a lot of things the Mets can do. One they will need to heavily consider is a long-term contract with Nimmo.

The thing about Nimmo is this: he changes the direction of the game. Certain numbers of his are fantastic. He gets on base a ton so any metric relating to this looks fantastic. Void of power at times and not exceptional in some areas, it’s little things like making pitchers work and playing like a pest (smiling and all) that routinely helps set the table for the Mets.

I always have a hard time pinpointing what a future contract for Nimmo would look like. Often injured, his numbers fall well short of star status.

When he is on the field, however, Nimmo is uniquely gifted. Players like this are hard to let slip away. Unless something drastic changes with the Mets, I do think they try to keep him around. Probably not a guy who will be in center field by 2023, left field could be the place he finds himself starting if Conforto remains with the ball club.

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What’s your outlook on these three notable Mets free agents?