Right after the Mets’ season ended, Edwin Diaz was asked about his opt-out. And he was not ready to declare publicly that he is exercising it.
“Not yet. I was waiting for the season to be over to go home, talk to my family — always I like to make decisions with my family,” Diaz said. “I want my family to feel comfortable, feel like part of my decision. Now I’m going home, I will start thinking about that and see what happens in the future.”
Diaz was also asked whether he would want to return to the Mets if he opts out.
“Yeah, of course,” he said. “I love this organization. They treat me really, really good. My family, everything. If I decide to opt out I would love to come back.”
While Diaz hasn’t stated his intentions just yet, it will be shocking if he doesn’t opt out of the final two years of the five-year, $102 million contract he signed after the 2022 season — when the Mets locked him up in November during their exclusive negotiating window.
Diaz, who will be entering his age-32 season in 2026, is coming off a year where he was one of the best and most dominant relievers in baseball. And it’s fair to believe that he’ll easily be able to exceed what’s left on his current deal in terms of both years and dollars.
So Diaz opting out is just a matter of time it seems.
When he does, should the Mets bring him back?
Apr 17, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz (39) enters the field during the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field. / Vincent Carchietta – Imagn Images
WHY IT COULD MAKE SENSE TO LET DIAZ GO
With Tanner Scott prying a four-year $72 million dollar deal from the Dodgers last offseason and then responding by posting a 4.74 ERA and the worst strikeout rate of his career, those in Diaz’s camp can argue that someone of Diaz’s caliber deserves a five-or six-year contract worth in excess of $20 million annually.
But it’s hard to see Diaz getting that, given his age and the fact that the biggest deal ever given to a reliever in terms of present day value was to Josh Hader — and it’s difficult to envision a 32-year-old eclipsing that. Hader got a five-year, $95 million deal ahead of the 2024 season before his age-30 season. The deal Diaz signed after the 2022 season, while $7 million more than Hader’s, had a significant portion deferred.
Another thing to consider is that Diaz’s average fastball velocity has been slowly starting to tick down.
He averaged an outrageous 99.1 mph in 2022 in the season before he suffered the knee injury that kept him out for all of 2023.
When Diaz returned in 2024, his average fastball velocity was 97.5 mph. In 2025, it was 97.2 mph.
In a world where Diaz’s fastball starts to significantly dip, he could be especially hittable since his only other viable pitch is his slider.
It’s also fair to wonder how many lucrative, long-term contracts the Mets are comfortable having on the books.
With Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Brandon Nimmo all under contract through at least 2030, would New York be comfortable adding long deals to Diaz and potentially Pete Alonso to that group?
Sep 25, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Mets pitcher Edwin Díaz (39) gestures after getting the final out against the Chicago Cubs during the ninth inning at Wrigley Field. / David Banks-Imagn Images
WHY IT COULD MAKE SENSE TO KEEP DIAZ
Now that I’m done grasping at straws trying to come up with reasons to let Diaz go…
Diaz has shown no real sign of slowing down, fresh off a season where he had a 1.63 ERA (2.28 FIP) and 0.87 WHIP with 98 strikeouts in 66.1 innings.
Since his forgettable 2019 debut season with New York, here’s what Diaz has done over his last five seasons:
270.1 innings pitched
2.36 ERA
0.97 WHIP
14.6 strikeouts per nine
The stuff (while the fastball velo is a bit down from its peak) remains filthy.
Diaz ranked in the 99th percentile this past season when it came to xERA, xBA, whiff percentage, and strikeout percentage. He was in the 89th percentile or better in fastball velocity, barrel percentage, and extension. His ground ball rate, chase percentage, and the average exit velocity against him all graded out well above average.
Batters hit .133 with a .200 slugging percentage against Diaz’s fastball in 2025, while hitting .179 with a .269 slugging percentage against his slider.
New York Mets pitcher Edwin Daz (39) reacts after the final out of the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. / Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
In addition to what Diaz brings on the mound (and he’s been incredibly reliable, making 54 or more appearances each of the last four seasons), there are the intangibles.
Diaz has not only embraced New York, but has proved that he can thrive here.
He also has a serious desire to be a Met, which he showed while quickly re-signing following the 2022 campaign and with his comments after this season.
VERDICT
This should be the easiest decision the Mets make all offseason.
Beyond all the arguments in favor of Diaz is the fact that the Mets don’t have anyone in line to replace him.
New York’s bullpen for 2026 is basically Brooks Raley, A.J. Minter (who should be back healthy after missing most of this season due to a lat injury), and a whole bunch of question marks.
For a team that is going to enter next season with the expectation of contending for a World Series, finding a closer is of huge importance.
And they don’t have to go far for him.
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