Edwin Diaz already holds the document for the most important contract given to a reliever. He could set a brand new document this offseason.
Diaz had signed a five-year, $102M contract, with an opt-out clause after three years, through the 2022-23 offseason to return to the New York Mets. The contract had an inauspicious begin as Diaz tore the patellar tendon in his proper knee through the World Baseball Traditional, costing him the season. After a good 2024 efficiency, Diaz was again with a vengeance in 2025, posting a 1.63 ERA and a 0.874 WHiP over 66.1 innings, notching 28 saves whereas putting out 98 batters with 21 walks. His resolution to walk away from the ultimate two years and $38M was a simple one, as was his resolution to say no the qualifying provide.
Diaz could have already got his subsequent contract in thoughts. In response to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, Diaz is searching for just about the identical contract he acquired from the Mets forward of the 2022 season. Contemplating how dominant Diaz was in 2025, and his general monitor document, he could get that deal.
Diaz has change into a free agent for the primary time in his profession. Let us take a look at three potential touchdown spots.
Three potential touchdown spots for Edwin Diaz in free company
The Mets had loads of blame to go round for his or her second-half collapse in 2025 and the bullpen was not immune. Mets relievers posted a middling 4.08 ERA and a 1.279 WHiP over 265 innings, the third-most innings of any bullpen after the All-Star Break. Diaz, nonetheless, was a part of the answer, posting a 1.59 ERA and a 0.882 WHiP over 28.1 innings within the second half as he did his half to push the Mets to the playoffs.
It’s honest to surprise if president of baseball operations David Stearns would need to make that sort of dedication to a more in-depth. Nevertheless, the Mets bullpen is in a state of flux with 10 relievers entering free agency. Diaz has confirmed he can deal with closing in New York and is among the finest relievers in baseball. Whereas any pitcher is a chance on a long-term deal, retaining Diaz could be the Mets best choice as they give the impression of being to retool the bullpen.
Nearer Jeff Hoffman looked like a bargain by means of April, permitting simply two runs on eight hits and a stroll over 15.1 innings, putting out 22 batters whereas recording six saves. He struggled afterward, posting a 5.30 ERA and a 1.367 WHiP over his final 52.2 innings. Hoffman was stable within the postseason but in addition gave up the game-tying residence run to infielder Miguel Rojas within the ninth inning of Recreation Seven of the World Collection.
Hoffman has confirmed to be a superb setup man however will not be the most suitable choice for the ninth inning. Including Diaz would give the Blue Jays a dominant again of the bullpen. Likewise, it might underscore that the Blue Jays have change into a vacation spot staff, a spot free brokers need to go to. That alone may very well be well worth the value of Diaz’s subsequent contract.
Regardless of all of the star energy in Los Angeles, the again of the Dodgers bullpen was a weak level in 2025. Roki Sasaki, who struggled over eight main league begins earlier than lacking a lot of the season resulting from damage, emerged because the Dodgers’ most trusted reliever. Sasaki, nonetheless, is expected to return to the rotation in 2026.
The Dodgers have the makings of a stable bullpen. Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen have been glorious relievers over their careers. Nevertheless, the Dodgers want a confirmed nearer. Diaz may very well be the ultimate piece to show the back-to-back World Collection champions into a real pressure on the diamond.
