In December 2018, the Seattle Mariners and the New York Mets completed one of the most controversial trades in recent history.
The Mets, eager to bring in reliever Edwin Diaz, took on Robinson Cano‘s enormous contract and sent away uber-prospect Jarred Kelenic, pitcher Justin Dunn, and two other pieces.
Fans criticized then-general manager Brodie Van Wagenen for giving up Kelenic and taking on Cano’s deal.
However, to this day Kelenic has failed to establish himself in the big leagues and Diaz, on the other hand, has proven to be an elite reliever, perhaps the best in the league.
It’s hard to have any regrets about that deal at this point.
Diaz is enjoying life in New York and has become a fan favorite in Queens.
An Incredible Journey
He reflected on the journey that sent him to the Big Apple to achieve big things with the Mets.
“‘Four years ago, I was getting traded to here, and now I’m signing the biggest deal for a reliever.’ Edwin Díaz on the four-year anniversary of the trade that sent him from Seattle to Queens,” Mets insider Anthony DiComo tweeted.
"Four years ago, I was getting traded to here, and now I'm signing the biggest deal for a reliever."
Edwin Díaz on the four-year anniversary of the trade that sent him from Seattle to Queens: pic.twitter.com/K5jRbvDqFu
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) December 1, 2022
So far, the extent of Diaz’s success with the Mets has come on an individual level.
The Mets, as a team, haven’t been able to return to the World Series since their 2015 appearance.
In fact, they hadn’t qualified to the playoffs since that year, until 2022.
Unfortunately, they were eliminated in the first round, the Wild Card series.
Diaz, in turn, posted a rock-solid 1.31 ERA in 62 innings, with 118 strikeouts.
His entrance song “Narco” by Blasterjaxx and Timmy Trumpet became a hit among fans, and he got to showcase his filthy stuff at the biggest of stages.
NEXT: Mets Fans Recall A Thrilling 1-Year Anniversary