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5 External closer candidates for the 2023 Red Sox

By Daniel Cereghin

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 12: Kenley Jansen #74 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after a strikeout to end the game against the Philadelphia Phillies in game two of the National League Division Series at Truist Park on October 12, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 12: Kenley Jansen #74 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after a strikeout to end the game against the Philadelphia Phillies in game two of the National League Division Series at Truist Park on October 12, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Edwin Diaz
Aug 25, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz (39) reacts after recording a strike out to during the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3 – Edwin Díaz, FA

Edwin Díaz earned 32 saves in 35 opportunities for the 2022 Mets, but this is only a small fraction of the story.

In 62.0 IP, he struck out 118 hitters – good for 17.1 K/9 and a 50.2 K%. Edwin Díaz struck out half of the hitters he faced. That K/9 is just short of the all-time record, currently held by Aroldis Chapman who struck out 17.7 per 9 innings in 2014, and a little short of Díaz’s personal record of 17.5 in the shortened 2020 season.

Díaz excels at keeping runners off the bases. He held batters to just 4.9 H/9 and 2.6 BB/9 – a 0.839 WHIP. He led all relievers with a minimum of 50 IP in FIP (0.90), K/9 (17.1), WAR (3.0), and K-BB% (42.6).

The 28-year-old righty is in a tier of his own, and he’s earning consideration as one of the greatest relievers of the 2000s. So, why am I concerned? Because he’s going to set a record for the highest reliever contract. Aroldis Chapman signed for 5yr/$85M back in 2017. Díaz is about the same age as Chapman was when he got his contract, but he might exceed 5yr/$100M.

If the Red Sox want someone resembling Craig Kimbrel in 2017, Díaz is the answer. But with such uncertainty surrounding Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers right now, it feels impractical to spend so much money on a reliever.

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