Mets reunion with Edwin Diaz reportedly facing stumbling block

The New York Mets have already added one closer in Devin Williams, who is reportedly set to sign a three-year, $51M contract. That does not necessarily mean that the Mets are moving on from closer Edwin Diaz.

Anthony DiComo from MLB.com reported that the Mets want Diaz back as well. Williams has said he would move to a setup role in the right circumstance and would presumably be the Mets' eighth-inning pitcher. 

The question is whether or not the Mets are willing to pay his asking price. According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, Diaz and the Mets are far apart regarding the length of a deal. Sammon reported that Diaz wants a five-year deal, whereas the Mets would prefer a three-year contract.

Change in Mets philosophy may preclude reunion with Edwin Diaz

According to Ken Rosenthal and Sammon, Diaz is looking for the same contract he received with the Mets — five years at $102M. While the first two years of the contract were a wash due to a torn patellar tendon in his right knee during the 2023 World Baseball Classic and an inconsistent 2024, Diaz was utterly dominant in 2025. He posted a stellar 1.63 ERA and a 0.874 WHiP over his 66.1 innings, recording 28 saves while striking out 98 batters with 21 walks.

The problem with Diaz getting the same deal from the Mets is that there is a different front office in place. President of baseball operations David Stearns has typically shied away from long-term contracts for relievers. 

Likewise, there are other relievers with closing experience in free agency. Diaz has established himself as the top reliever available, but the likes of Robert Suarez and Pete Fairbanks are free agents as well. Having Williams on board also lessens the Mets' need for another proven commodity in the ninth inning. If Diaz is adamant about receiving essentially the same contract the Mets handed him during the 2022-23 offseason, it may come from another franchise.