Diaz had signed a five-year contract worth $102 millionwith an opt-out clause after three years, during the 2022-2023 offseason to return to the New York Mets. The contract got off to an inauspicious start when Diaz tore the patellar tendon in his right knee during the World Baseball Classic, costing him the season. After a decent performance in 2024, Diaz was back with a vengeance in 2025, posting a 1.63 ERA and a 0.874 WHiP over 66.1 innings, recording 28 saves while striking out 98 batters with 21 walks. His decision to leave the final two years and $38 million was an easy one, as was his decision to decline the qualifying offer.
Diaz may already have his next contract in mind. According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The AthleticDiaz is looking for essentially the same contract he got from the Mets prior to the 2022 season. Considering how dominant Diaz was in 2025 and his overall track record, he might actually get that deal.
Diaz has become a free agent for the first time in his career. Let’s look at three possible landing spots.
Three potential landing spots for Edwin Diaz in free agency
1. New York Mets
The Mets had plenty of blame for their collapse in the second half of 2025 and the bullpen was not immune. Mets relievers posted a mediocre 4.08 ERA and a 1.279 WHiP over 265 innings, the third most innings of each bullpen after the All-Star Break. However, Diaz was part of the solution, posting a 1.59 ERA and a 0.882 WHiP over 28.1 second-half innings while doing his part to push the Mets into the playoffs.
It’s fair to wonder whether David Stearns, president of baseball operations, would be closer to such a commitment. However, the Mets bullpen is in flux 10 relievers are headed to free agency. Diaz has proven he can handle the shutdown in New York and is one of the best relievers in baseball. While any pitcher is a gamble on a long-term contract, retaining Diaz may be the Mets’ best option as they look to restructure the bullpen.
2. Toronto blue jays
Closer to Jeff Hoffman seemed like a bargain through April, allowing just two runs on eight hits and a walk over 15.1 innings, striking out 22 and recording six saves. He struggled afterward, posting an ERA of 5.30 and a WHiP of 1.367 over his last 52.2 innings. Hoffman was solid in the postseason, but also gave up the game-tying home run to infielder Miguel Rojas in the ninth inning of Game Seven of the World Series.
Hoffman has proven to be an excellent setup man, but may not be the best option for the ninth inning. Adding Diaz would give the Blue Jays a dominant back end of the bullpen. Likewise, it would underscore that the Blue Jays have become a destination team, a place where free agents want to go. That alone could be worth the price of Diaz’s next contract.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
For all the star power in Los Angeles, the back end of the Dodgers bullpen was a weak point in 2025. Roki Sasaki, who struggled through more than eight Major League starts before missing most of the season due to injury, emerged as the Dodgers’ most trusted reliever. Sasaki is, though expect to return to rotation in 2026.
The Dodgers have the makings of a solid bullpen. Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen have been excellent relievers throughout their careers. However, the Dodgers need a proven closer. Diaz could be the final piece that can make the back-to-back World Series champions a real force on the diamond.
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