Mets Still Pursuing Edwin Díaz – MLB Trade Rumors

On Dec. 1-2 the New York Mets took two notable steps in their late-inning plans: they signed Devin Williams to a three-year contract on Dec. 1, yet on Dec. 2 reporting indicated club officials continue to pursue a reunion with Edwin Díaz. Díaz is widely reported to be seeking a five-year deal, while the Mets have preferred a shorter, three-year commitment at top-market annual value. The Williams signing reduces but does not eliminate the Mets’ appetite for Díaz, who posted a 1.63 ERA with a 38% strikeout rate across 66 1/3 innings last season and converted 28 of 31 save opportunities.

Key Takeaways

• The Mets signed Devin Williams to a three-year contract on Dec. 1, adding an established late-inning arm to their bullpen.
• On Dec. 2 Sammon of The Athletic reported a gap in talks: Díaz is seeking a five-year deal while the Mets prefer three years.
• Edwin Díaz posted a 1.63 ERA, a 38% strikeout rate, and 66 1/3 innings in 2025, converting 28 of 31 save chances.
• Díaz rejected a qualifying offer and has been linked publicly to the Blue Jays; other teams could join the market.
• The Williams signing lowers the urgency to re-sign Díaz and makes a compensatory draft pick a viable outcome if Díaz signs elsewhere.
• Mets still need at least two high-leverage relievers beyond Williams; several right-handed setup options departed in free agency.
• Williams has indicated he would accept a setup role if Díaz returns, preserving roster flexibility for New York.

Background

The Mets entered the winter seeking stability in the late innings after an uneven bullpen performance in prior seasons. Edwin Díaz established himself as one of baseball’s elite closers in recent years, and his 2025 season statistics reinforced his premium standing. Díaz declined the team’s qualifying offer, which changes the club’s compensation calculus if he signs elsewhere; management must weigh draft compensation against on-field certainty. The market for high-leverage relievers is thin and expensive, with several veteran late-inning arms reaching free agency this offseason.

Devin Williams’ three-year deal gives the Mets a ready-made ninth-inning option if they choose not to match Díaz’s term demands, and Williams’ history of success adds credibility to that plan despite an uneven year with the Yankees. Still, the Mets face competing priorities: payroll flexibility, the desire to keep a proven closer, and the need to shore up setup depth after the departures of several right-handed relievers. Front office decision-makers must balance contract length and annual value against the probability of on-field returns and the potential loss of draft compensation.

Main Event

On Dec. 1 the Mets announced the signing of Devin Williams to a three-year contract, an addition that offers immediate late-inning security. Reporting by Anthony DiComo of MLB.com noted Williams is open to pitching in a setup role, a concession that would allow Díaz to resume closing duties if the two sides reconcile. The next day, Sammon of The Athletic reported that talks with Díaz have stalled over term: Díaz is reportedly seeking a five-year pact while the Mets have preferred a three-year commitment.

Those competing preferences drive the current impasse. From the Mets’ perspective a three-year contract keeps long-term payroll commitments manageable while still offering top-market annual value; from Díaz’s perspective a longer term secures elite closer compensation for multiple seasons. Williams’ arrival means the Mets can function without Díaz, which increases the leverage of a team unwilling to meet a five-year price.

Still, club sources and reporting have left the door open for a reunion: Williams’ willingness to shift roles and Díaz’s own remarks at an awards event — in which he said a return felt roughly 50-50 — suggest both sides see a path to agreement if terms align. Meanwhile, public linking of Díaz to the Blue Jays and speculation that clubs such as the Dodgers, Giants, Yankees, Tigers, Red Sox, Cubs, Diamondbacks and Angels could be interested keeps the market active.

Analysis & Implications

From a roster-building standpoint the Mets face a classic trade-off between term and certainty. Signing Díaz to five years would likely cost significantly more in total dollars and commit a large share of late-inning payroll beyond the near term; a three-year deal limits long-term exposure but may be insufficient to land a player of Díaz’s caliber. The arrival of Williams reduces immediate risk, allowing the Mets to either split ninth-inning duties or preserve budgetary flexibility for other roster needs.

Financially, Díaz seeking a five-year, $100 million range shifts the calculation: the club must decide if top-end closer value is worth multi-year commitment versus taking compensatory draft pick insurance by letting him sign elsewhere. The qualitative gap between Díaz and Williams in the ninth inning remains material — Díaz’s elite strikeout and ERA numbers imply higher win probability in extreme late-inning leverage situations — which argues for investment if ownership prioritizes bullpen dominance.

The wider market matters too. If competing clubs with deeper payroll flexibility enter a bidding war, the Mets’ leverage diminishes. Conversely, if teams prioritize shorter deals, the Mets’ three-year offer could become comparatively attractive. The club’s stated openness to using Williams as a setup man provides a compromise structure that could facilitate a reunion without conceding full-term demands upfront.

Comparison & Data

The table highlights why Díaz is the superior ninth-inning option based on 2025 output, but it also underscores why Williams represents a practical alternative. Teams often pay a premium for elite closer production; a three-year versus five-year gap can translate to tens of millions of dollars and affect roster construction elsewhere.

Reactions & Quotes

Players and reporters have framed the situation as negotiable rather than final.

Díaz said he would enjoy staying in New York if the right deal arrived, but he was unsure where the team stood.

Edwin Díaz, quoted at awards ceremony (reported)

Reporting on the Williams signing emphasized the newcomer’s flexibility.

Williams indicated he would accept a setup role if the Mets brought Díaz back, keeping options open for manager and front office.

Anthony DiComo / MLB.com (media report)

Analysts have noted the roster and financial trade-offs.

Sources told The Athletic there is a gap on term that has slowed talks, but the club remains interested.

Sammon / The Athletic (media report)

Unconfirmed

• Reports of a precise five-year, $100 million offer for Díaz have circulated, but no official contract terms have been confirmed by the Mets or Díaz’s representatives.
• Public links to teams beyond the Blue Jays exist in speculation; formal offers or advanced negotiations with those clubs have not been independently verified.

Bottom Line

The Mets have reduced short-term risk by adding Devin Williams but have not closed the door on re-signing Edwin Díaz. The negotiation hinges on term: Díaz is reportedly pursuing five years while the Mets prefer three, and that split will determine whether the club buys proven elite ninth-inning production or opts for a slightly cheaper, shorter-term path plus draft compensation possibilities.

Watch the market closely: if Díaz receives strong multi-year offers from other clubs, the Mets may pivot to depth-building and accept compensatory picks; if other teams value shorter deals, New York’s three-year approach could win out. Either way, the Mets still need additional high-leverage arms beyond Williams to secure the late innings.

Sources

• MLB Trade Rumors — (media report; Dec. 2025 article summarizing Mets/Díaz situation)
• The Athletic — (media: Sammon reported on Dec. 2 regarding talks and term differences)
• MLB.com — (media: Anthony DiComo reported on Williams signing and his willingness to shift to setup)