Veteran closer Edwin Díaz has opted out of the final two years of his contract with the New York Mets, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
Díaz had two years and $37 million total, including $10 million in deferred money, remaining on his deal with the Mets. He would’ve earned a $15.5 million base salary in 2026 and then $15.4 million in 2027.
He had originally signed with the Mets in 2022 on a five-year, $102 million contract that made him the highest-paid reliever in MLB history.
At the time, Díaz was coming off a dominant 2022 season during which he recorded a career-low 1.31 ERA through 61 appearances and 62.0 innings.
The closer went on to miss the 2023 season with a right knee injury and was unable to return to his former dominance in 2024.
Díaz bounced back in 2025, however, recording a 1.63 ERA in 62 games and 66.1 innings to help the Mets stay in the postseason race despite the bullpen’s overall struggles.
His return to dominance apparently led Díaz to decide to test the free agent market rather than opt in to another two years in Queens.
Díaz, originally drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2012, made his MLB debut in 2016. He played his last six seasons with the Mets, including his All-Star campaigns in 2022 and 2025.
Although Díaz will turn 32 ahead of the start of the 2026 season, he could still serve a key role for a club in need of bullpen help next season.
The Mets will meanwhile need to find a go-to closer who can take Díaz’s place as the team eyes an overhaul of its bullpen this winter.
