Part 6/12:
And, Roberts points out, the Dodgers were willing to "outsmart" the Mets—that their approach to Diaz was shrewd and calculated. While Sterns and Cohen smiled and claimed that they loved Diaz, Roberts suggests they did not show the necessary aggressiveness when it mattered. They played a game that the Dodgers simply outplayed them in.
He emphasizes that Diaz’s departure isn’t just a loss of a player, but a symbolic loss of a statement—the Mets appear to have failed to measure up to their rivals, and in doing so, have lost their most electrifying asset.
The Broader Significance: A Reflection of Frustration
Roberts’s dismay extends beyond Diaz. He sees a pattern: missed opportunities, lowball offers, and a team unwilling to pay what it takes to retain top players.