Coming off an epic collapse and a non-playoff season, there are many questions going through the Mets heading into the offseason. Because the membership explores methods to get higher, nevertheless, they face a few massive choices simply with regard to conserving two long-time roster staples in first baseman Pete Alonso and nearer Edwin Diaz. Alonso has already mentioned he can be declining his $24MM participant possibility for 2026 with the intention to re-enter free company, and Diaz is broadly anticipated to check the market as nicely by declining his participant choices for the 2026-27 seasons (as per the phrases of Diaz’s deal, he should train or decline each choices without delay).
Many Mets followers will make the purpose that the membership might or ought to simply re-sign each gamers. Cash isn’t actually an object for a staff that has boasted report payrolls below Steve Cohen’s possession, and Alonso and Diaz are every coming off massive seasons. For the entire Mets’ points in 2025, Alonso and Diaz weren’t a part of the issue — Alonso hit .272/.347/.524 with 38 residence runs over 709 plate appearances, and Diaz recorded 28 saves whereas posting a 1.63 ERA and 38% strikeout fee over 66 1/3 innings.
Retaining both participant, in fact, comes with just a few issues. The Mets and Alonso simply went via this free agent dance final winter, as after a scarcity of curiosity from different suitors and a protracted collection of negotiations with New York’s entrance workplace, Alonso settled for a two-year, $54MM cope with an opt-out clause after the primary season. Alonso’s objective of coming into the market with a greater platform season got here to fruition, and he additionally received’t have the qualifying provide connected to his providers this time, for any golf equipment involved over giving up draft picks to signal him.
Whereas Alonso’s numbers had been decidedly higher in 2025 than in 2024, the query of whether or not or not Alonso was nonetheless a top-tier bat wasn’t actually one of many chief issues going through the Mets or different free agent suitors final offseason. Alonso is a right-handed hitting first base-only participant, and the market merely hasn’t been too welcoming to such gamers lately, regardless of how a lot pop is of their bats. Talking of protection, Alonso’s subpar glovework has him pointed in direction of a future as a DH, so any staff signing the slugger will face the quick query over how for much longer they’re keen to deploy him at first base. If Alonso initiatives as a one-dimensional participant going ahead, the truth that he’s coming into his age-31 season means that he’s one 12 months nearer to the top of his prime.
One plus in Alonso’s favor is his excessive sturdiness. Diaz is coming into his age-32 season, and his well being report features a 2023 season totally misplaced resulting from knee surgical procedure, and a (minimal) stint on the 15-day injured record in 2024 resulting from a shoulder impingement. Whereas Diaz isn’t exhibiting any indicators of slowing down on the mound, there are additionally the pure issues current when contemplating any bullpen arm for a long-term contract, given how inconsistent most relievers could be on a year-to-year foundation.
Diaz’s knee harm clearly hadn’t occurred on the time of his final foray into free company, however bigger issues over his future efficiency didn’t weigh too closely on the Mets’ minds in 2022 when the staff shortly re-signed the righty to his five-year, $102MM deal quickly after the free agent market opened. Cohen was naturally the one making the ultimate name on Diaz’s new contract, although it’s value noting that Billy Eppler was New York’s common supervisor on the time of that signing.
Present president of baseball operations David Stearns might nicely have a special view of Diaz’s worth, which is why MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo feels that if the Mets solely maintain one of many two star free brokers, “Alonso has a greater likelihood of staying.” Stearns has historically most well-liked to construct his bullpens with relievers on shorter-term commitments, each when he was working the Brewers’ entrance workplace (and focusing extra on cheap hidden-gem sorts) and through his two years in Queens (when working with a a lot bigger payroll).
DiComo additionally noticed that “nearly everybody wants aid pitching,” so whereas maybe just a few groups could possibly meet Diaz’s anticipated price ticket, “Díaz can also be prone to have at the very least as many suitors as Alonso.” Diaz’s age is a think about one other sense right here, as SNY’s Andy Martino factors out that Diaz might view this journey to free company as his “final chunk on the apple at getting an enormous contract.” Regardless of the mutual curiosity between Diaz and the Mets in a reunion, he may not have the ability to withstand taking the bigger provide if a closer-needy staff outbids the Mets in years.
May it’s potential that each Alonso and Diaz have performed their final recreation in a Mets uniform? This looks like maybe the least-likely state of affairs, as then the Mets must add each first base and nearer to an offseason buying record that’s already headlined by a extreme want for beginning pitching. Technically, letting each Alonso and Diaz stroll would release extra payroll room for the Amazins to splurge on rotation assist, or for the membership to pursue different high quality first base or high-leverage aid that may come at cheaper price tags. However, “payroll room” might be not a giant deal to a membership with a roughly infinite finances. And, letting two fan favorites go in the identical offseason may not attraction to a Mets fanbase that’s already upset over the frustration of 2025.
What do you assume will occur with the Mets and these two massive free agent choices? Vote now in our ballot.
