Coming off an epic collapse and a non-playoff season, there are plenty of questions facing the Mets heading into the offseason. As the club explores ways to get better, however, they face a couple of big decisions just in regards to keeping two long-time roster staples in first baseman Pete Alonso and closer Edwin Diaz. Alonso has already said he will be declining his $24MM player option for 2026 in order to re-enter free agency, and Diaz is widely expected to test the market as well by declining his player options for the 2026-27 seasons (as per the terms of Diaz’s deal, he must exercise or decline both options at once).
Many Mets fans will make the point that the club could or should just re-sign both players. Money isn’t really an object for a team that has boasted record payrolls under Steve Cohen’s ownership, and Alonso and Diaz are each coming off big seasons. For all of the Mets’ issues in 2025, Alonso and Diaz weren’t part of the problem — Alonso hit .272/.347/.524 with 38 home runs over 709 plate appearances, and Diaz recorded 28 saves while posting a 1.63 ERA and 38% strikeout rate over 66 1/3 innings.
Retaining either player, of course, comes with a few concerns. The Mets and Alonso just went through this free agent dance last winter, as after a lack of interest from other suitors and a protracted series of negotiations with New York’s front office, Alonso settled for a two-year, $54MM deal with an opt-out clause after the first season. Alonso’s goal of entering the market with a better platform season came to fruition, and he also won’t have the qualifying offer attached to his services this time, for any clubs concerned over giving up draft picks to sign him.
While Alonso’s numbers were decidedly better in 2025 than in 2024, the question of whether or not Alonso was still a top-tier bat wasn’t really one of the chief concerns facing the Mets or other free agent suitors last offseason. Alonso is a right-handed hitting first base-only player, and the market simply hasn’t been too welcoming to such players in recent years, no matter how much pop is in their bats. Speaking of defense, Alonso’s subpar glovework has him pointed towards a future as a DH, so any team signing the slugger will face the immediate question over how much longer they’re willing to deploy him at first base. If Alonso projects as a one-dimensional player going forward, the fact that he’s entering his age-31 season means that he is one year closer to the end of his prime.
One plus in Alonso’s favor is his extreme durability. Diaz is entering his age-32 season, and his health record includes a 2023 season entirely lost due to knee surgery, and a (minimal) stint on the 15-day injured list in 2024 due to a shoulder impingement. While Diaz isn’t showing any signs of slowing down on the mound, there are also the natural concerns present when considering any bullpen arm for a long-term contract, given how inconsistent most relievers can be on a year-to-year basis.
Diaz’s knee injury obviously hadn’t happened at the time of his last foray into free agency, but larger concerns over his future performance didn’t weigh too heavily on the Mets’ minds in 2022 when the team quickly re-signed the righty to his five-year, $102MM deal soon after the free agent market opened. Cohen was naturally the one making the final call on Diaz’s new contract, though it is worth noting that Billy Eppler was New York’s general manager at the time of that signing.
Current president of baseball operations David Stearns may well have a different view of Diaz’s value, which is why MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo feels that if the Mets only keep one of the two star free agents, “Alonso has a better chance of staying.” Stearns has traditionally preferred to build his bullpens with relievers on shorter-term commitments, both when he was running the Brewers’ front office (and focusing more on inexpensive hidden-gem types) and during his two years in Queens (when working with a much larger payroll).
DiComo also observed that “just about everyone needs relief pitching,” so while perhaps only a few teams may be able to meet Diaz’s expected price tag, “Díaz is also likely to have at least as many suitors as Alonso.” Diaz’s age is a factor in another sense here, as SNY’s Andy Martino points out that Diaz may view this trip to free agency as his “last bite at the apple at getting a huge contract.” Despite the mutual interest between Diaz and the Mets in a reunion, he might not be able to resist taking the larger offer if a closer-needy team outbids the Mets in years.
Could it be possible that both Alonso and Diaz have played their last game in a Mets uniform? This seems like perhaps the least-likely scenario, as then the Mets would have to add both first base and closer to an offseason shopping list that is already headlined by a severe need for starting pitching. Technically, letting both Alonso and Diaz walk would free up more payroll room for the Amazins to splurge on rotation help, or for the club to pursue other quality first base or high-leverage relief that would come at lower price tags. But, “payroll room” is probably not a big deal to a club with a more or less endless budget. And, letting two fan favorites go in the same offseason might not appeal to a Mets fanbase that is already upset over the disappointment of 2025.
What do you think will happen with the Mets and these two big free agent decisions? Vote now in our poll.
How much do they intend to shake things up? Any chance they want to reset the luxury tax? Seems unlikely.
Yeh, you sign a deal like Soto’s cause you’re scared of the luxury tax
Mets can’t reset the luxury tax unless they start dismantling.
I’m almost certain no one thinks the Mets are ascared.
“Yeh, you sign a deal..scared of luxury tax”…Don’t kid yourself or ever underestimate billionaires aversion to paying taxes.
Mega billionaires could spend $20k on lunch and then still rue paying $10K in taxes.
It’s not likely that they can re-set. I’d have to run the numbers to be sure but they would essentially have to let all the guys on expiring contracts walk and not sign anyone of note to replace them. They might even have to deal McNeil.
They have a pretty good system with a bunch of guys who might be ready at some point in 2026 but relying on a half-dozen of them right at the start of the season would be a huge risk.
Bottom line: The payroll isn’t going down much, if at all. It might even go up.
Mets will not reset until they win the world series. That might take a while…
I think they’re both gone
“They’re both gone”…I wouldn’t bet that way, but it wouldn’t surprise me either. Personally for me, relievers are too volatile year to year, to give contracts beyond 2 years.
And bringing back both Pete and Edwin is doubling down on a cast of players that was somewhat oddly configured and came up well short of their desired goals.
In 2023, Mets offered 7 years at $158 million. It seems like that original offer was neither high or low.
I think got Alonso got $20.5 million in 2024 and $27 million on 2024. That leaves 5 years and $110.5 million to match the earlier amount. Round it up to $111 million.
One million signing bonus and five years at $22 million per year. Or four years at $25 million, no bonus. Alonso’s choice. And if that does not do it, move on.
Those amounts are with no opt-outs and a no trade clause.
With opt-outs, I could see $28 million per year for three years, and an opt out after years one and two.
Small correction he made 30 mil in 2025 he actually has 107.5 mil to make good on rejecting the offer.
Thanks
Alonso got $30 million guaranteed for 2025. A $10 million signing bonus with a $20 million salary. The deal also has a $24 million player option for 2026.
He made $20.5 million in 2024.
The total earned since he turned down that extension is $50.5 million.
He probably will not get the 7 years he is said to be asking for now, but he will definitely get $27 million which was the AAV on the deal he is opting out of to $30 million which was what he earned in 2025 as the AAV on a 5 to 6 year deal. He will end up earning $200 million for that 7 year period.
The Mets 7 year, $158 million offer was team-friendly as most extensions are. Can’t fault them for offering him less money with security. Can’t fault Alonso for betting on himself.
The Mets don’t have a severe need for starting pitching despite how bad they were this season. Peterson was a disaster in the second half but he’ll be back. Senga was as well but he’ll be back too and I expect he’ll return to form. He wasn’t worse than any other Met in the second half. Holmes needs to go to the bullpen which will help with the need there, which is bigger than starting pitching. McLean will be a front rotation arm and Sproat should be in the rotation as well. Tong probably needs more time. Megill should be in the pen too. So if it’s McLean, Senga, Peterson & Sproat then you have Manaea who is under contract. I’d expect he rebounds too. I think they need one top tier starter and one mid rotation starter. Their biggest need is competent coaching and front office personnel which is nowhere in sight.
senga is always injured and they were 18th in MLB in starters ERA…there was a reason they signed scherzer and verlander last year (even though those were dumb signings)
Have you been hibernating? Neither pitched for the Mets since 2023 and Scherzer signed his deal in 2022
Carlos
I disagree. Needing a top tier starter and a mid-rotation guy. Exactly means that they have a severe need for pitching.
You have demonstrated that the Mets have a rotation that can compete to be a 0.500 team, not one that can make the playoffs and win a post-season series.
I like Dylan Cease as a Mets’ acquisition. He is durable and should bounce back part way. In my book, Cease is better than mid rotation but less than top tier. I also think Mets should bring back Jose Quintana.
McLean, Tong, Peterson, Sproat, Senga, Manaea, and Holmes.
That’s good depth. I don’t think they need a middle of the rotation arm. I think a top of the rotation guy is all that’s needed. A lot of upside for those 3 rookies. McLean feels like an absolute lock for the rotation. One of Tong or Sproat starts in AAA unless they both force their way in with ST performances. You can never have too much depth but I don’t think they absolutely need a middle of the rotation arm.
Can’t count on Peterson, Senga and Manea. Peroid.
Alonso is DH only for a long contract. Diaz is to injury prone for long contract. Mets will sign Cease or Suarez and will try and trade for Lopez or Peralta instead.
Former Phanatic Ranger Suarez or former Friar Robert Suarez? I think Ranger would be a huge get, as good a free agent pitcher out there, but Robert is due for some regression.
Umm
How abt both?
Both are gone. Neither wants to be associated with that dumpster dive of a franchise.
My money is on them both getting resigned but if I were the Mets I would sign helsey because hes probably cheaper and then try to sign Kyle Tucker
Nimmo can probably still play center field so having Tucker, nimmo, and Soto in the outfield would be great with vientos shifting to 1st
Having Helsey as the closer, Nimmo in CF, and Vientos at 1B would all be HORRIBLE things for the Mets.
I think they’d only take Pete back if his market falls apart again. The team is better with him, but having room for both Vientos and Baty isn’t a bad thing either, especially if they can use those resources to supplement other parts of the roster.
The Mets without Diaz or another elite closer look vulnerable. In Stearns’s place, I’d want him locked as early as possible, and I’d be willing to stretch to get there.
Mets are not a dumpster dive. They are a middle of the road team that has a very high payroll.
Soto and Lindor are a nice base. Nimmo and Alonso are good at least for another year or two. Plenty of teams could use those players.
The starting pitching needs upgrades and added depth. With that, Mets will be in the wild card mix or even the division race if Schwarber and Ranger are not retained or replaced and Wheeler is unable to contribute.
I don’t care if Alonso resigns or not. He put up most of his damage in the first month of the season and then reverted back to his old ways the rest of the year. They can put Soto at 1st and sign Bellinger, as that would help the team a lot more
Cohen has the money to sign both if he wanted to, but I don’t think Pete Alonzo is in their future plans. Really just a bat! They may keep Diaz just to keep him from maybe signing with another team in the NL East! Alonzo will probably sign with an AL Team.
Diaz should get the Mets to guarantee that third year in exchange for him picking up his option on the next two seasons. That would guarantee him $57M over three years. Not sure he’ll do any better on the free agent market since he’s over 30 now…
I think the Mets re-sign Alonso and Edwin Diaz becomes a ring chaser and goes to the Dodgers.
Dodgers did sign his brother to lure him away.
I think you’re on the money.
I can see Diaz being brought back, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see Alonso sign somewhere else and hear the Mets didn’t even offer him a contract