PHOENIX — Mets owner Steve Cohensaid this week he found it “perplexing”that star closer Edwin Díaz left New York for the Dodgers this winter.
But on Saturday, in his first media session of spring training, Díaz made the decision sound simple when asked about Cohen’s comments.
“I was a free agent, so I got the chance to talk with everyone, and I think the Dodgers did a great job recruiting me,” said the31-year-old right-hander,who signed a three-year, $69 million deal with the Dodgers that includes the highest annual salary fora reliever in MLB history.
“At the end of the day, I chose to be here. I have a lot of respect for the Mets organization, players, staff, ownership. They treated me really good. I don’t have anything bad to say about them. But at the end of the day, I’m here.”
And, based on his early comments this spring, happy to be so.
After the Dodgers’ second workout of camp Saturday, the three-time All-Star praised his new surroundings, speaking highly of not only the Dodgers’ talented roster but also a clubhouse culture that has immediately embraced him.
“Everyone welcomed me really good,” said Díaz, who cited “clubhouse chemistry” when asked what has stood out to him so far during his time at Camelback Ranch.
“I think that’s how they’ve been so good. They have a really good clubhouse,” he said, later adding: “Every player has a different personality in the clubhouse. They have different players from different countries, and they all get together and have fun.”
Cohen, the deep-pocketed Mets owner, made news this weekwhen he told Howie Rosehe was surprised to see Díaz leave this winter.
Though the Mets reportedly offered Díaz, a longtime fan favorite in Queens, $3 million less in guaranteed money than the Dodgers did, they were also believed to have wiggle room to go higher.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
