The New York Mets are staring down a potential nightmare this offseason: the possible departure of their star closer, Edwin Diaz. With the power to opt out of the final two years and $37 million of his massive five-year, $102 million deal signed back in 2022, Diaz could hit the free-agent market—and experts believe he’s poised to do just that. Why? Because the red-hot reliever market suggests he could land something even juicier than the four-year, $72 million pact Tanner Scott inked with the Dodgers last winter.
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But hold on, Mets fans—Diaz testing the waters doesn’t spell doom just yet. The team would undoubtedly make a strong push to re-sign him, and by all accounts, Diaz is open to staying in Queens if the Mets step up with a deal that matches his elite value. After all, loyalty and big bucks can go a long way in baseball.
That said, the Mets’ bullpen woes are no secret. The unit sputtered through the second half of the 2025 season, leaving Diaz as the lone reliable arm in high-leverage spots. Losing him would crank the pressure up to eleven, forcing the front office to scramble for reinforcements. And in a twist that could only happen in the Big Apple, a surprising name has bubbled up as a potential savior: Devin Williams, the former Yankees closer who’s fresh off a rollercoaster year in pinstripes.
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It all came to light during a lively October 31 episode of SNY’s Baseball Night in New York, where pundits were brainstorming Diaz replacements. Baseball columnist John Harper dropped the bombshell: “One name you guys haven’t mentioned is Devin Williams.” The panel erupted in laughter, pointing out Williams’ rocky 2025 ride with the Yankees—he lost his grip on the closer role, posting a bloated 4.79 ERA while racking up 90 strikeouts over 62 innings.
Harper didn’t back down, though. “I mean, he did finish well,” he countered. “Look, I think he was intimidated by the whole New York Yankee expectations, and all that. He wasn’t the game guy. But later in the year, he actually pitched well. Maybe you can say that was because he was out of the closer’s role, as well, but he had four scoreless innings in the postseason, and he was back to throwing that elite changeup.”
Harper even mused on the crosstown dynamic: “Queens is still New York. But I don’t know if it would be the same type of pressure that he would face in the Bronx. He might be the second-best guy out there.” It’s a bold take—Williams, after all, could be the silver medalist in this free-agent relief class. But let’s be real: Edwin Diaz is the undisputed gold standard. Mets faithful are crossing their fingers for a reunion, because no replacement, no matter how shocking, can truly fill those electric shoes. As the offseason heats up, all eyes are on Queens—will Diaz stay, or will the Mets turn to a Bronx castoff for their next big save?