The last trumpet has blown at Citi Field. After weeks of free agent drama, the New York Mets ultimately lose Edwin Díaz, who is signing a three-year, $69 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, first reported by Will Sammon of The Athletic. After several reports over the last few days stating that the Mets were still atop the Díaz race, New York fell flat on its face in its attempt to retain its superstar closer.
Mets Lose Edwin Díaz to Two-Time Defending Champs
The Mets offered Díaz a three-year, $65 million deal, with wiggle room to potentially discuss a higher number, which he instead signed with the Dodgers, per Anthony DiComo. This is due to one of two factors: Díaz saw the success of the Dodgers and also secured the money he was seeking, compared to staying in New York. The Dodgers have won back-to-back championships and still boast the best roster in baseball.
David Stearns also shares some blame for this. He failed to give a fan-favorite player the money he was seeking while agreeing to the contract length the Mets were comfortable offering.
There were also two other factors involving Díaz’s departure from Queens, reported by Mike Puma.
1) Alexis Díaz, his brother and fellow reliever, raved about the Dodgers’ staff and resources last season.
2) Edwin Díaz was unhappy that the Mets moved on from pitching coach Jeremy Hefner.
What’s Next for the Mets?
The Mets are linked to several different closers on the current market. These names include Pete Fairbanks and Robert Suarez, who are both solid options but can’t replace the production Díaz offered. New York is also linked to Trevor Megill, with the Brewers reportedly fielding offers. But are the Mets truly in the market for a new closer?
“The Mets will now almost certainly proceed with Devin Williams as their closer and build out the bullpen in front of him, rather than add a big piece behind him,” DiComo reported following the Díaz move.
This isn’t a move that benefits the Mets whatsoever. As a closer for the New York Yankees last season, Williams was ineffective, posting a career-worst 4.79 ERA along with 18 saves in 22 attempts, ultimately losing his ninth-inning role midway through the season due to command issues.
The Mets will now almost certainly proceed with Devin Williams as their closer and build out the bullpen in front of him, rather than add a big piece behind him.
Díaz’s Mets tenure ends after six seasons. https://t.co/EyiRpmMWq6
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) December 9, 2025
As a setup man throughout his career, Williams has been elite, recording a 2.16 ERA in 178 2/3 innings with an outstanding 1.45 FIP.
The 31-year-old showed real promise to close out his 2025 campaign, finishing with a 2.05 ERA over his final 22 innings and a 44.2% strikeout rate.
As many said at the time of the move, signing Williams was a solid addition for Stearns, but only if paired with a legitimate closer, creating one of the best one-two punches in baseball. Instead, David Stearns and the Mets cheaped out, allowing another important domino to fall while they scramble to build a successful roster.
Main Photo Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
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