The New York Mets could be on the lookout for a new closer in 2026.
Edwin Diaz is a free agent, and all signs point to him turning down the qualifying offer. Although Diaz has been a key reason for the Mets’ success in recent years, it has been reported that he will likely play elsewhere in 2026.
Former MLB infielder and now analyst Trevor Plouffe predicts Diaz will sign a four-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.
“I’ve been saying this about the Blue Jays for a long time. They need to make a splash,” Plouffe said on Talkin’ Baseball. “They needed some bullpen help at the end of the year. Any team that makes it as far as they did, the sense of urgency is there, the backend of the bullpen I think needed some help.
“Edwin Diaz on a four-year deal to the Blue Jays makes a lot of sense. It’s not going to be that much, you are talking $22 million a year, something around that. I’m going Edwin Diaz to the Blue Jays.”
Diaz leaving the Mets for the Blue Jays would be a big blow to New York. He has been a key part of the Mets’ bullpen, but it appears his time with the team is coming to an end.
Diaz went 6-3 with a 1.63 ERA in 62 games this season with the Mets.
What is Diaz Expected to Get in Free Agency?
Diaz is the top reliever available in free agency and should be in line for a solid payday.
Despite the closer being 31 and will be 32 before the season starts, he will sign a lucrative long-term deal. MLBTradeRumors predicts Diaz will sign a four-year, $82 million deal.
“Diaz already set the record for the largest overall guarantee ($102MM). And the 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 $38MM 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. … It’s hard to imagine a team going five years with top-of-the-scale annual value for a second time, but four years at more than $20.4MM annually seems achievable.”
Diaz is a three-time MLB All-Star and a three-time Reliever of the Year.
Mets Expected to Lose Diaz
Although Diaz is one of the top closers in all of baseball, the Mets are expected to see him leave in free agency.
Diaz said his chances of returning to the Mets are 50-50, but MLB insider Ken Rosenthal expects the reliever to walk in free agency.
“A perfect storm for the New York Mets to lose free-agent closer Edwin Díaz might be developing,” Rosenthal wrote. “Díaz, testing free agency for the first time, is eager to cash in on his last chance for a monster payday. The Toronto Blue Jays, who were two outs away from winning the World Series until closer Jeff Hoffman stumbled, are poised to spend big.
“Meanwhile, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, whose initials might as well stand for Disciplined and Steady, would not be afraid to replace Diaz by diving into a deep market for closers.”
Diaz has been with the Mets since 2019.
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