Reese Kaplan -- There's Yet Another Key Mets Opt-Out Candidate

During the history of the New York Mets they have both struggled and thrived with various hurlers stepping out of their bullpen.  Everyone remembers the key contributions made at times by John Franco, Armando Benitez, Tug McGraw, Jeurys Familia, Jeff Innis, Turk Wendell, Roger McDowell, Neil Allen, Ron Taylor, Skip Lockwood and others were capable of reducing opposing hitters to an ineffectual scoring weapons for the other team.  Yes, they had days when things did not go perfectly but the overall numbers were highly impressive.

Arguably the very best of the lot of bullpen heroes is current Mets closer Edwin Diaz.  Despite having blown a game this week to extend the long losing streak, the numbers he’s providing are pretty mind boggling.  In 2025 “Sugar” has a 6-3 record with 13.3 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched, a 1.88 ERA, a WHIP of just 0.994 with a walk to strikeout ratio of better than 4:1.  Yeah, he’s been that good.

Of course, the Mets have seen the other side of Diaz, too.  Rather than perusing all of those numbers, instead look at his overall Mets career.  He’s a 24-22 pitcher with a 3.02 Mets ERA to go along with 525 strikeouts which, if the season was a month longer, he’d top John Franco for the Mets all time leader from relievers. 

Steve Cohen and his front office extended Diaz with a 5 year $102 million contract as a show of faith and based upon what he’s done this year it looks like money very well spent.  Of course, given his stellar record it calls to mind the question of how much is he really worth?

Well, the Mets and Diaz may soon find out that answer.  Edwin Diaz has an opt-out clause in his current contract which he can trigger at year’s end.  Doing so would forfeit the final couple of very highly compensated years of salary on the gamble that another club would think a 31 year old who can be as dominant as anyone in the game might be a long term option to improve their relief corps. 

The Mets seeing what might happen have a few options here.  They could ask him straight out how much he’s seeking and match it either in average annual value or in the number of years he’d be under contract.  With a club looking to reduce its payroll that option would likely not be one the club would favor. 

The second choice would be to let him walk away and recoup $20 million in payroll dollars to use to fulfill other needs.  The issue there is figuring out who would close in his place.  None of the three July acquisitions will be here next year unless the Mets decide that their mediocrity was forgivable and they chose to offer up extensions before they hit free agency.  

Drew Smith should be back but he’s always been more of a setup guy.  Ryne Stanek is on a one-year deal as is Brooks Raley.  Reed Garrett and several others could be given that job but none seem healthy enough nor consistent enough to take the reins. 

For now a lot depends on if the Mets make it into the post season and then how well they proceed.  A quick exit could spell the end for several players who have been here awhile.  A good showing could suggest they are a player or two away from being better.  At this point, no one knows...