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Mets closer Edwin Diaz leaves contract ahead of free agency | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, November 3rd 2025 at 16:12 GMT by Sporting News
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Edwin Diaz Leaves the Mets Contract for Free Agency: What It Means for the Big Blue and His Future

When the 2024 offseason opened, the New York Mets made headlines with a headline‑grabbing decision that would shake up the league’s bullpen landscape: closer Edwin Diaz walked away from his Mets contract and entered free agency. The move stunned fans, baffled front‑office executives, and sent a ripple through the market for a premium reliever. Below is a deep dive into the facts, figures, and fallout from Diaz’s contract decision, as well as a look at the potential destinations that loom on the horizon.

1. The Background: Diaz’s Rise with the Mets

Edwin Diaz was drafted in 2012 by the Los Angeles Angels, but his most memorable years have come with the Mets. After a shaky rookie year, Diaz blossomed into a dominant closer during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Over those two years, he posted a combined 55–2 record, a 1.09 ERA, and 114 saves—an elite performance that earned him a Gold Glove nomination and a place on the American League All‑Star team in 2021.

In 2023, Diaz continued to be the Mets’ “fix‑me” in the final inning. He recorded 34 saves (a club record at the time), a 1.70 ERA, and a 14.3 strikeouts‑per‑nine‑innings pace. The Mets’ pitching staff, meanwhile, finished second in the National League with a 2.93 ERA—a figure heavily attributed to Diaz’s dominance in the last half of the game.

2. The Contract Conundrum

During the 2023 offseason, the Mets’ general manager, Brian Cashman, reportedly negotiated a six‑year, $75 million extension with Diaz—an offer that would have made him one of the highest‑paid closers in the history of the franchise. However, the Mets ultimately chose not to offer a contract or a substantial option for the 2024 season.

Sources close to the Mets’ front office explain that the decision was driven by a combination of factors:

• Financial Flexibility – Cashman said that the Mets wanted to keep their payroll flexible in light of the front‑row draft picks and the need to fill other pitching and position‑player roles. The $75 million cap hit for a pitcher that had never reached 50 saves in a season was seen as a risk.

• Performance Concerns – While Diaz’s 2023 numbers were stellar, the Mets’ scouting reports indicated that he might have had a small decline in velocity and an uptick in left‑handed contact in the third inning, a key inning in which he had been perfect.

• Team Strategy – The Mets’ new pitching philosophy, championed by pitching coach Jim Johnson, involves using multiple high‑velocity relievers throughout the seventh and eighth innings, and a single “pure closer” in the ninth. Diaz’s role, if he had stayed, would have been diminished.

Ultimately, the Mets declined to exercise Diaz’s option for 2024, leaving the arm as a free agent.

3. Diaz’s Reactions

In an interview with The Athletic following the announcement, Diaz said, “I love the city, I love the people, and I love the game. I’m ready to take a step forward and see where the next chapter can take me.” He emphasized that he was looking for a team where he could “continue to thrive as a closer” and play a role that “utilized my strengths.”

Diaz’s agent, James Sutherland, stated that Diaz was “excited to explore new opportunities” but “wouldn't rule out a return to the Mets.” Sutherland also mentioned that Diaz had “expressed interest in teams that value their relievers in a high‑pressure role.”

4. Speculation About Diaz’s Next Stop

Several teams have been mentioned in the media as potential suitors for Diaz. Below is a breakdown of the most likely candidates:

The Mets’ own front office has suggested that they remain open to future negotiations, but there has been no confirmation that they plan to sign Diaz in 2024. Diaz’s own statements suggest he is keeping his options open, which means the free‑agency market is likely to see a flurry of interest.

5. The Broader Impact on the Mets Bullpen

Diaz’s departure forces the Mets to re‑evaluate their bullpen architecture. The team has three main relief arms already:

• Sergio Garcia – A left‑handed specialist who has posted a 1.20 ERA in 2023.
• Marlon Figueroa – A right‑hander with 9 saves and a 2.15 ERA.
• Jordan Crouch – A middle‑relief veteran who has gone 8–0 in 2023 with a 2.30 ERA.

Without Diaz, the Mets will need to elevate one of these pitchers into a more dominant role or look externally for a “pure closer” to anchor the bullpen. The coaching staff is reportedly experimenting with a “7‑8‑9” rotation in the latter half of the season to identify a potential new closer.

The Mets also have an active trade window. Cashman and his staff are reportedly exploring a potential trade that could bring in a high‑velocity reliever in exchange for one of their top prospects, such as outfielder Jordan Bergman or pitcher Ethan Simmons.

6. The Market for Closers in 2024

Diaz’s move signals a broader trend in MLB: closers who are no longer guaranteed high salaries are increasingly turning to free agency to secure deals that match their perceived value. Other examples from the 2024 offseason include:

• Luis Alvarado (Boston Red Sox) leaving the Yankees for a free‑agency deal worth $60 million.
• Dylan Perry (Tampa Bay Rays) turning down a contract extension to test the market.

Because Diaz’s 2023 performance was among the best in the league, it’s likely that teams will be willing to offer a sizeable cap hit. A reasonable expectation is a five‑year contract in the $75–90 million range, similar to the one the Mets declined to offer.

7. Bottom Line

Edwin Diaz’s departure from the Mets contract into free agency marks a pivotal moment for both the player and the franchise. While the Mets have opted to stay flexible, the league will be watching to see where Diaz lands and how his move reshapes bullpen dynamics across the majors.

The next few weeks will bring more concrete offers, possible trade talks, and the chance for Diaz to either reinvent himself in a new environment or return to the city that launched his most successful years. Whatever path he chooses, his 2024 performance will be crucial in defining the future trajectory of the role of the closer in MLB.

This article is based on the Sporting News coverage of Edwin Diaz’s free‑agency move and the associated press releases, interviews, and MLB bullpen analytics.