As the Edwin Diaz situation unfolds, the Mets are looking for alternatives in the bullpen, potentially pairing with a reliable closer or finding a replacement, sources indicate.
It’s been confirmed that the Mets have had conversations with the agent for Robert Suarez and also reached out to Pete Fairbanks’ representatives, both of whom are highly regarded bullpen candidates. They’ve reportedly made contact with Devin Williams’ camp as well.
If they can’t secure Diaz, Suarez, who’s 34 and just two seasons removed from an All-Star nod, could be a solid substitute. Since taking over as the Padres’ closer in 2024, Suarez has saved 76 games, maintaining a 2.87 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP, ranking 17th among pitchers with over 100 innings pitched. Although he has spent only four seasons in Major League Baseball after starting in Japan, he’s opted out of the remaining two years and $16 million on his Padres contract, suggesting he’s in demand.
Fairbanks has also been a standout reliever for the Rays over the last six years, saving 75 games in the past three seasons. At 31, he logged a 2.83 ERA across 61 games last year and has consistently thrown hard, averaging 97.3 mph with his four-seamer. Interestingly, the cost-conscious Rays chose not to exercise his $11 million option for the coming season.
Williams, now 31, faced ups and downs last season in New York, losing his closing role but ended strongly and was seen as a dependable option in October. Despite finishing with a 4.79 ERA in 2025, analytics like strikeout and whiff rates indicate he hasn’t truly regressed and remains one of the elite pitchers in baseball.
Other free-agent alternatives include Kenley Jansen, Sean Armstrong, Tyler Rodgers, Emilio Pagán, Luke Weaver, Kyle Finnegan, and Seranthony Dominguez. That said, Diaz is expected to be the primary focus for the Mets among available relievers.
Reports indicate that Diaz, who has opted out of his current contract, is looking for a five-year deal at around $20 million annually. Whether manager David Stearns is prepared to make such a long-term commitment to a reliever nearing 32 remains uncertain.
Regardless of the Diaz outcome, it’s clear the Mets will need to bolster their bullpen. They’ve terminated contracts with Diaz, Rodgers, Ryan Helsley, Ryne Stanek, Gregory Soto, Drew Smith, Jose Castillo, Max Kranik, and Danny Young. Reed Garrett is set to miss the entire next season, and DeDoniel Nunez likely won’t play much, if at all. The only reliable arms returning are Brooks Lally and AJ Minter, with internal options such as Huascar Brazoban, Richard Lovelady, and Dylan Ross.
Stearns mentioned at a recent GM meeting, “We’re going to add to our bullpen during the offseason. I’m not certain about the back end of the bullpen at this point… there are many openings, and improvement opportunities are present.”
