The New York Mets will officially introduce All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano and All-Star closer Edwin Diaz on Tuesday after completing a seven-player blockbuster trade with the Seattle Mariners. They might want to consider themselves lucky Diaz is on their side.

Before the Mets and Mariners completed their deal, the Philadelphia Phillies had serious discussions with Seattle about acquiring Diaz alongside shortstop Jean Segura for a package including top pitching prospect Sixto Sanchez, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Philadelphia ultimately decided not to surrender Sanchez, who missed a large chunk of 2018 with an elbow injury. Rosenthal reports the team didn't want to give up a large package of top prospects for a reliever even though Diaz is an award-winning closer under team control for another four seasons.

The Phillies and Mariners eventually struck a five-player deal on Monday that sent Segura and two pitchers to Philadelphia for shortstop J.P. Crawford and first baseman Carlos Santana, while the Mets and Mariners got together on the Diaz-Cano trade. Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon acknowledged Tuesday that a fear of seeing Diaz in red and white helped lead their push to complete the deal and ultimately "block" the Phillies, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

The Mariners received three prospects from New York, including highly-regarded outfielder Jarred Kelenic, along with outfielder Jay Bruce and reliever Anthony Swarzak in return for Diaz and Cano.

Philadelphia still needs some bullpen help with Diaz now off the table and is reportedly looking to add relievers through free agency rather than trades. Left-handers Zach Britton and Andrew Miller are among the Phillies' primary free-agent targets, according to Rosenthal. The club has also been linked to Craig Kimbrel, who is said to be seeking a record contract.