Edwin Díaz Declines Mets Contract
Edwin Díaz, a right-handed pitcher, has opted out of his contract with the New York Mets. This decision comes despite a guaranteed two years and $38 million remaining on his deal. Díaz is now exploring the free agent market for potentially better offers.
Contract History and Performance
Díaz signed a significant five-year contract worth $102 million with the Mets after the 2022 season. He faced a setback due to a knee injury sustained during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, which caused him to miss the entire season. However, during the previous two seasons, he excelled, achieving 48 saves and boasting an impressive strikeout rate exceeding 38%.
In the past season, Díaz was recognized for his performance with his third All-Star nomination. His tenure with the Mets began in December 2018 when he was traded from Seattle along with Robinson Cano. At that time, Díaz was coming off a league-leading 57 saves with the Mariners.
Initial Struggles and Recovery
Despite a strong reputation, Díaz’s first year with the Mets was challenging. He posted a 5.59 ERA over 58 innings, although advanced metrics indicated he performed better than the results suggested. By the shortened 2020 season, he rebounded, closing out 32 games in each of the following two seasons. Over his initial four seasons with the Mets, Díaz accumulated 96 saves.
Market Outlook
At 31 years old, Díaz enters a competitive reliever market. He joins premier names such as Robert Suarez, Devin Williams, Ryan Helsley, and Raisel Iglesias, all of whom are strong options for teams seeking relief pitching. The Mets are evaluating their options for replacing Díaz, should they fail to re-sign him.
- A.J. Minter is expected to exercise his player option to remain with the Mets.
- Adbert Alzolay saved 22 games for the Cubs in 2023 but missed the 2025 season following Tommy John surgery.
The decision of Edwin Díaz to opt out signifies a pivotal moment in his career. As teams look to bolster their bullpens, his expertise and recent track record make him a valuable asset on the market.
