Mets reliever Edwin Díaz open to demotion from closer role as struggles mount and confidence wanes
MIAMI (AP) — Edwin Díaz is open to a change to help ignite the slumping New York Mets — even if that means losing his role as closer.
Amid a terrible start to the 2024 season in which he’s blown two consecutive save chances and three of his last four, the star reliever with a $102 million contract said he would be willing to take a demotion if the team thinks that’s best.
“I’m open to everything,” Díaz said Saturday after squandering a four-run lead in the ninth inning against one of the league’s worst hitting teams in the Miami Marlins.
Díaz has a 10.80 ERA over his last eight appearances after serving up four homers in 8 1/3 innings.
“I want to help my team to win,” he said. “That’s my main thing. If they want to talk to me about that and I feel good about it, I agree on it. I just want to win games in any position they put me.”
The struggling Mets (20-25) led the Marlins 9-5 when Díaz entered in the ninth.