1. The first question on everyone’s mind: Does this mean the Edwin Díaz era is over in Queens, or is there a chance they are going to try to build a super bullpen?
The Williams signing doesn’t take the Mets out of the mix for Díaz, but it’s certainly a nice insurance policy if Díaz signs with another club. But even if the Mets bring back their closer, let’s not forget that Williams has had some of his greatest seasons in a setup role.
Williams won the Trevor Hoffman Award in 2020 while setting up for Josh Hader, then made the All-Star team in 2022 in the same role before Hader was traded a couple weeks later. And although Williams would surely like to close, his new contract is paying him “closer money,” so whether that means pitching the eighth or ninth likely won’t be as important for him.
The Mets ranked ninth in the Majors last season with a 3.93 bullpen ERA, and that was with Díaz posting a 1.63 ERA in a bullpen-high 66 1/3 innings. We knew the Mets were going to be in the bullpen market this winter with Díaz on the open market, but rival executives have assumed that New York would be looking to acquire at least two relievers if not more, so the idea of them building a super bullpen would not be a shock to anybody.
2. If the Mets do move on from Díaz, they have presumably “saved” some money with this Williams deal, presumably to target a big name elsewhere. Of the remaining top free agents, who do you think they are most likely to sign?
Well, some of that could depend on whether the Mets still make a push to re-sign Díaz, who will cost them somewhere in the range of $20 million per year over four or five seasons. And even if Díaz goes to another team, I would expect the Mets to spend some more money on the bullpen as mentioned above.
As for the top free agents, the most likely scenario is a reunion with Pete Alonso, though that’s hardly a lock. If Alonso leaves New York, the Mets could pivot to Kyle Schwarber to replace the thump in the lineup. And while sources don’t tab the Mets as favorites for Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger, New York does have a vacancy in the outfield after trading Brandon Nimmo. Given the Mets’ payroll and Steve Cohen’s desire to win, I will never say never when it comes to any free agent ultimately landing in Queens.
3. We’ve seen two big-name relievers (Williams and Ryan Helsley) go off the market in the last few days. Should we expect there to continue to be a run on relievers? And if so, who do you think is next?
Even with Williams and Helsley off the market, there is no shortage of proven back-end relievers available. Díaz is the top option available, but he’s also going to be the most expensive.
With Williams signing for three years and $45 million and Helsley getting two years and $28 million from the Orioles, the market for non-Díaz closers appears to have been set. That should get things moving on the relief market, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see more late-inning options start to come off the board.
After Díaz, the next tier of free-agent relievers includes Robert Suarez, Pete Fairbanks, Emilio Pagán and Tyler Rogers. Luke Weaver, Kyle Finnegan and Kenley Jansen also offer closing experience for teams seeking back-end bullpen help.
If I had to guess who would be next, I would go with Fairbanks. According to sources, the Blue Jays and Marlins are among the teams interested in the former Rays closer, while the Orioles were also in on him before the Helsley deal.
4. Williams was the closer for the Yankees last year, and Weaver is also a free agent. Should we assume they will be a player for one of the top remaining relievers, such as Díaz or Suarez?
Just as we expected the Mets to be in the market for a closer with Díaz on the market, it’s been a given that the Yankees will be looking for bullpen help this offseason. But David Bednar was excellent for the Yankees in his 22 appearances after the Trade Deadline (10 saves, 2.19 ERA) and could be the closer next season, making it less urgent to spend big on one of the top relievers. That’s not to say the Yankees won’t be in the market for another reliever or two, it just doesn’t need to be Díaz or Suarez.
The Yankees are still trying to bring back Bellinger, or, if he signs elsewhere, replace him with another impact bat. Starting pitching is also on New York’s wish list as Gerrit Cole will be returning from Tommy John surgery, Carlos Rodón will miss the start of 2026 following surgery to remove a bone spur from his throwing elbow and Clarke Schmidt is expected to miss most of next season following his own Tommy John surgery.
