Mets Rumors: Edwin Díaz, Brandon Nimmo to Be Prioritized in MLB Free Agency

The New York Mets may want to find additional help to improve their roster for 2023, but the organization's top priority this offseason will be retaining its own key free agents.

Per SNY.tv's Andy Martino, the Mets are "prioritizing" re-signing Edwin Díaz and Brandon Nimmo over their other free agents.

It's interesting that Diaz and Nimmo appear to be at the top of New York's internal free-agent list.

Jacob deGrom could also hit free agency if he opts out of his deal as expected. He pitched well down the stretch with a 3.08 ERA in 11 starts, but he's also 34 and has only thrown 156.1 innings over the past two seasons combined.

Both Díaz and Nimmo figure to be two of the most sought-after free agents. Nimmo is arguably the best outfielder on the open market after Aaron Judge. The 29-year-old hit .274/.367/.433 last season. He posted on-base percentages over .400 three times in four years from 2018 to 2021.

Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reported last week the Colorado Rockies have Nimmo on their "preliminary wish list" of players, with contract estimates in the range of $115 million-$120 million over five years.

Even though it sounds like the Mets plan to make an aggressive push to keep Nimmo, general manager Billy Eppler told Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman of The Show Podcast they would be comfortable moving Starling Marte from right to center field.

Díaz's free agency coincides with his career year in 2022. The right-hander had a 1.31 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 118 strikeouts and 32 saves in 61 appearances.

Teams have been more diligent about not spending big money on relievers. Only six closers had a salary of at least $10 million in 2022, including Díaz ($10.2 million).

Heyman reported last month that Díaz is looking to "break new ground" with his contract. Aroldis Chapman's five-year, $86 million deal with the New York Yankees is the richest deal for a closer in MLB history, per Heyman.

The Mets already project to have a $238.9 million payroll next season, per Spotrac, and owner Steve Cohen has shown a willingness to spend big in order to give the team a chance to win a World Series.

New York finished the 2022 season with 101 wins, second-most in franchise history. It lost in the NL Wild Card Series to the San Diego Padres.