Star closer Edwin Diaz has opted out of the final three years of his contract, making him a free agent, multiple reports confirmed on Monday afternoon.
Diaz had $38 million left on his five-year deal, which was originally worth $102 million.
The decision was an expected one, though the 31-year-old right-hander waited to make his decision known after the World Series ended, unlike his teammate Pete Alonso, who announced moments after the Mets’ season ended with a flop on the final day of the regular season that he would opt out of the final year of his temporary two-year pact.
Diaz returned to his All-Star form in 2025 after missing all of 2023 with a knee injury and rediscovering his stuff last season. He compiled 28 saves while posting a 1.63 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP to go with 98 strikeouts across 66.1 innings pitched.
When asked on the final day of the regular season about his desire to remain with the Mets, Diaz said, “Of course. I love this organization. They treat me really, really good. My family, everything.”
Retaining him should be among president of baseball operations David Stearns’ top priorities this winter, considering the overhaul needed to fix the bullpen. The acquisitions of Ryan Helsley and Tyler Rogers at the trade deadline did little to fix the broken stable of relievers. Losing Diaz in free agency would make an already difficult task all the more insurmountable.
