Chicago Cubs: What does the Mets-Mariners trade mean for the Cubs?

Chicago Cubs: The Mets just got a shutdown closer, too

Seemingly every headline I’ve seen regarding this deal centers around Robinson Cano. And, I get it. He’s returning to the Big Apple (albeit with a different club) and Mets fans hope he’ll be the catalyst for an offense that’s been downright pitiful in recent years.

Given all this, we’re talking about Edwin Diaz like he’s some nobody. Nevermind the fact he’s coming off a historic season with Seattle, where he finished 65 games and set a Mariners franchise record with 57 saves. He pitched to a 0.791 WHIP – and now stands tall at the back of the Mets pen.

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New York can pair Diaz with Seth Lugo (and likely other offseason pickups) in the back of the pen to put games to rest. He comes with multiple years of control (Diaz won’t hit free agency till 2023) and gives you a long-term answer at closer.

The Mets bullpen is far from a sure thing, though. Last season, Mets relievers posted the second-highest ERA in the National League at 4.96. So when you put New York and Chicago side-by-side in this regard, you have to give the Cubs the edge, despite serious concerns there.

The Cubs still need left-handed options outside of Randy Rosario, Brian Duensing and Mike Montgomery and closer Brandon Morrow only counts when he’s, you know, on the field. The Chicago right-hander missed the entire second half last year – and it cost the team dearly.

Still, the team has quality go-to guys in Steve Cishek and Pedro Strop ahead of Morrow, so, at least right now, the advantage here swings to the North Siders.