3x All-Star Edwin Diaz Opting out of Contract with NY Mets Has Fans Fuming: “Need Cohen to Step In”

Edwin Diaz had signed a 5-year, $102 million contract with the NY Mets in November 2022 after joining them through a trade in December 2018.

3x All-Star Edwin Diaz Opting out of Contract with NY Mets Has Fans Fuming: “Need Cohen to Step In”

Edwin Diaz (Image via NY Post)

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The 2025 offseason has started with a bang. Following the conclusion of the 2025 World Series, several players have started to opt-out of their deals. New York Mets closer, Edwin Diaz, is one of them who has opted-out of his contract and become a free agent.

Diaz has been the closing pitcher for the Mets since 2019. The relief pitcher picked up his 3rd All-Star nomination following a dominant performance in the first half of the season.

In May, he was named the National League Reliever of the Month after he recorded 5 saves through 11.1 innings. In this dominant run, he allowed just 3 hits, 4 walks, and picked up 14 strikeouts. At that stage, it seemed Diaz and the Mets will be one of the heavy favorites to win the World Series.

However, the Mets suffered a major slump in the middle of the season. The National League side went on several huge losing runs and dropped down in the division standings. After going 45-24 in their first 69 games, the Mets went 38-55 in their remaining 93 games and finished the season with an 83-79 record and missed the postseason.

Diaz, though, remained one of the standout performers for the team and finished the campaign with a 6-3 record. In the 62 games he played, he pitched with a low 1.63 ERA and managed to pick up 98 strikeouts. He ended the season with 28 saves.

After the Mets missed the postseason, it was likely that Diaz would opt-out of his contract. The 31-year-old had two years and $38 million guaranteed on his contract.

After making his name with the Seattle Mariners, Edwin Diaz joined the Mets in December 2018 through a blockbuster trade. He struggled a bit in his first season with the Mets in 2019 but bounced back with strong performances in the 2020 and 2022 season.

Before he could reach free agency in November 2022, the Mets extended his stay with a 5-year $102 million contract. This year, he has finally decided to opt out of his deal and become a free agent for the first time in his career.

Social media reacts as Edwin Diaz becomes free agent

Edwin Diaz will test the free agency market this postseason. On Monday, reports emerged that the New York Mets star had decided to use his opt-out clause and lose the $38 million that was guaranteed in his contract.

Edwin Diaz
Edwin Diaz (Image via MLB)

NY Mets fans on social media were left fuming with this. Many users on X expressed that team owner Steve Cohen has to step in and re-sign him as they bashed GM David Stearns. Meanwhile, some fans trolled the Mets and claimed that he would become a Dodger and sign with the now two-time defending champions.

Check out some of the fan reactions regarding this development below:

The Mets are reported to have interest in re-signing Diaz. If the team fails to bring him back, they might have to work even harder to revamp their bullpen, which already seemed shaky despite the presence of the 3-time All-Star.

Edwin Diaz not the only big NY Mets star to opt-out of his deal

On Monday, Edwin Diaz finally opted out of his contract with the New York Mets. This was something that many had already seen coming. He though, is not the only big Mets star who is going into free agency this offseason.

Edwin Diaz
Edwin Diaz (Image via MLB)

Apart from Diaz, 1st baseman Pete Alonso has also opted out of his deal and become a free agent. After the disappointing end to the 2025 campaign, the “Polar Bear” expressed that he is opting out of his deal and testing free agency again.

GM David Stearns and the Mets management now face an uphill task of re-signing both of them. There is a chance that the team could lose two of its core players for free in this offseason. Only time will tell what happens with Diaz and Alonso.

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