The New York Mets could have a new closer in 2026.
New York has had Edwin Diaz as their closer since 2019, as he’s one of the top closers in all of baseball. Yet, he is a pending free agent and should have several teams interested in him.
MLB insider Darragh McDonald of MLBTradeRumors predicts Diaz will sign a four-year, $82 million deal with the New York Yankees in free agency. Diaz leaving the Mets for the Yankees would be a tough blow to Mets fans.
“The Mets pounced to proactively re-sign Diaz before he could truly even test his market last time. That deal was under former GM Billy Eppler,” the article read. “Will new president of baseball operations David Stearns make a similarly aggressive strike?
“It’s hard to see, but it’s always possible owner Steve Cohen could take matters into his own hands and retain his superstar stopper. If not, Diaz is going to draw interest from basically every big-market contender (e.g. Yankees, Dodgers, Giants, Blue Jays).”
Diaz will be highly sought after as several World Series contenders will want him to be their closer. He makes a lot of sense for the Yankees, as Devin Williams is a free agent and could leave New York.
Diaz would solidify the back-end of the bullpen alongside David Bednar and Camilo Doval, which would help the Yankees have one of the best bullpens in all of baseball.
Diaz Likely to Command Massive Deal
Although Diaz will be 32 before the year starts, he should still get a massive deal in free agency.
Diaz is the top reliever available in free agency, and with several teams interested in him, it should create a bidding war for him.
MLBTradeRumors expects him to get a four-year deal, but he will fall short of $100 million, which is what he wanted.
“Diaz already set the record for the largest overall guarantee ($102MM) and largest average annual value ($20.4MM) any reliever has ever received,” the article read. “His five-year, $102MM deal with the Mets allowed him to opt out and return to free agency this winter, and with “only” two years and $37MM remaining on that pact, he took the opt-out and will take aim at toppling at least one of his own standing records.
“With Diaz set to pitch next year at 32, it’s unlikely he’ll command another five-year deal. That makes it unlikely that he can find another nine-figure deal and top his record guarantee. However, Diaz should still have enough juice to get a four-year contract, and he could take aim at his AAV record.”
Diaz is a two-time MLB All-Star and two-time Reliever of the Year. He also led the league in saves in 2018, showing his dominance over a long stretch.
Mets Extend Qualifying Offer to Diaz
Before Diaz entered free agency, New York gave him a qualifying offer.
The Mets extended the qualifying offer to Diaz, which would be a one-year, $22.025 million deal if he accepts. Yet, all signs point to him turning it down, which would mean the Mets would receive a compensatory draft pick if he signs elsewhere in free agency.
Diaz has until Nov. 18 to accept or reject the qualifying offer, but he will likely decline it.
The Mets front office has made it clear that they want to retain Diaz. But with him now hitting the open market, several teams should be interested in him.
Diaz was 6-3 with a 1.63 ERA in 62 games last season with the Mets.
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