MLB Insider reveals hefty price tag if Reds pitcher Alexis Diaz were traded to the Mets

The New York Mets are desperate to fill the void left by Edwin Diaz's season-ending knee injury. The best reliever in the game went down during Team Puerto Rico's celebration after their victory over the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

But if the Mets are serious about trading for Edwin's younger brother, it's going to cost them a lot. The rumors have been swirling, as you knew they would be, that New York GM Billy Eppler should give Nick Krall a phone call and inquire as to the availability of Alexis Diaz.

The younger Diaz made his major league debut last season and even received consideration for NL Rookie of the Year honors. If the New York Mets come calling, it would appear as though the Cincinnati Reds have set their price tag quite high.

Reds rumors: MLB Insider reveals price tag for Alexis Diaz trade to Mets.

According to the New York Post's Jon Heyman, who's normally a very reliable source, there's been some internal discussion about what it would take to pry Alexis Diaz away from the Cincinnati Reds.

According to Heyman, based on past talks, Mets’ people believe it might take a combination of outfield prospect Alex Ramirez and catcher Kevin Parada. Whoa! Oh by the way, if that's a non-starter, the Reds would be fine to just do a one-for-one that included Francisco Alvarez.

According to MLB Pipeline, Parada is the team's No. 3 prospect while Ramirez is ranked No. 4. Both also appear in the Top 100. Alvarez is the No. 3 ranked prospect in all of baseball.

Heyman says that there's been no indication of serious talks between the Mets and Reds, and that's because New York has deemed Cincinnati's demands to be much too high for their liking.

These latest Reds rumors should actually bring a lot of joy to the fanbase. First, it would appear as though Alexis Diaz is going to be the team's closer in 2023. And second, Nick Krall is willing to listen, but he's not in the habit of just giving away talent as some of the Cincinnati faithful would have you believe.

Diaz is under team control for five more season, and will be paid the league-minimum for the next two. While his walk-rate was much higher than you'd like to see, Diaz also posted a 32.5-percent strikeout-rate in 2022.