Edwin Diaz responded politely to Steve Cohen.

Steve Cohen, the colorful owner of the New York Mets, called Edwin Diaz's signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers embarrassing. Voicing his frustration, Cohen clearly did not appreciate seeing his number one reliever pack his bags and head for the warm California sun.

Fresh off his arrival at his new team's training camp, Diaz responded with a high level of political savvy, mentioning that he chose to sign a three-year deal in Los Angeles because he was a free agent and the Dodgers were the most convincing.

At 31, it was time for him to change environments and continue his career with a championship team.

Diaz did not speak negatively about the Mets, quite the contrary. The Puerto Rican had kind words for his former team, saying that he received first-class treatment there, but that at the end of the day, he chose the Dodgers because they seemed more eager to have him pitch for them.

Edwin Díaz responds to Steve Cohen's comments about leaving Mets https://t.co/BO6gVKiLri pic.twitter.com/3QYzIQJxCp

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) February 14, 2026

The deal will net Diaz a tidy sum of $69 million.

Diaz's interview from the Dodgers' training camp in Glendale, Arizona, reveals nothing particularly surprising, but it perfectly illustrates the fact that a player who reaches free agency is free to choose to stay with his current team or move elsewhere for a variety of reasons.Steve Cohen and the Mets were unsuccessful in their quest to keep their closer in town, and it's normal for them to be a little frustrated, but to say that Diaz's decision is embarrassing is another matter entirely.

In my opinion, Cohen's reaction is due to his current inability to turn his dollars into wins. Yes, the Mets are spending, but they are struggling to compete in a competitive division.

Since taking the job in 2024, Carlos Mendoza has done a good job, as evidenced by his 172-152 record as manager, but his boss expects more in return for his financial investments. Perhaps the arrival of Bo Bichette will bring positive energy and a better return on investment on the field?

For now, Cohen is still struggling to come to terms with the loss of his star reliever in 2025, and it shows. For his part, Diaz says he is happy and comfortable with his choice. Who wouldn't be happy to join the Dodgers and play a key role as a late-game specialist?

If Steve Cohen wanted to start a war of words with his former reliever, he has once again missed the mark. Diaz said what he had to say, explaining his decision without tarnishing the Mets' reputation in the process. Edwin Diaz did what he does best in life with his former boss's comments: he closed the book.

The Mets must now rely on Devin Williams to fill the role that de facto belonged to Diaz. Let's hope for their sake that his performance will be more positive than it was with the Yankees in 2025.

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