Ever since New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz went down with what's likely to be a season-ending knee injury while playing in the World Baseball Classic last week, there's been speculation about a potential trade with the Cincinnati Reds.
Apparently that speculation has grown loud enough that MLB Insider and former Reds general manager Jim Bowden felt the need to reach out to Nick Krall. These latest Reds rumors won't sit well with Mets fans, at least not yet.
According to Bowden, the Reds GM has not yet received a phone call from Mets general manager Billy Eppler inquiring as to the availability of Cincinnati reliever Alexis Diaz.
Latest Reds rumors suggest that Mets have yet to inquire about trading for Alexis Diaz.
These latest Reds rumors felt inevitable after Edwin Diaz had to be wheeled off the field after a post-game celebration following Team Puerto Rico's victory over Team Colombia in the World Baseball Classic.
Alexis Diaz, Edwin's younger brother and teammate during the WBC, was brought to tears after watching the New York Mets reliever have to leave the field in a wheelchair.
Not only do these Reds rumors have the family ties of the Diaz brothers, who are said to be very close, but it would also help to strengthen New York's bullpen following the loss of their best reliever.
Edwin Diaz signed a five-year/$102-million contract with the Mets during the offseason. Alexis Diaz just happens to be a pretty good pitcher in his own right, and after successful rookie season, the younger Diaz is under team control for five more years. Hollywood couldn't script a better trade scenario.
But for now, that trade would appear to be nonexistent. However, with the Cincinnati Reds all but out of contention once the 2023 season begins, it makes a lot of sense for Nick Krall and Billy Eppler to work out a mutually-beneficial trade.
Let's let these Reds rumors simmer on the back burner for now, but if the Mets are unable to find a replacement for Edwin Diaz in the next week or so, expect the rumor mill to heat up.