Edwin Diaz's Mets Contract Offer Before Record Dodgers Deal in MLB Free Agency Reveale

Before star closer Edwin Diaz landed a record-breaking deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the New York Mets reportedly made a strong push to keep him.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets offered Diaz a three-year contract worth $66 million with "modest deferrals" and "expressed that there was wiggle room to go higher." They ultimately fell short of the Dodgers' three-year, $69 million deal that set a new average annual value record for relievers, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Diaz could have remained in New York, but chose to opt out of his contract with two years and $38 million remaining on his deal. He immediately became the top closer on the open market, and the back-to-back World Series champion Dodgers were known to be seeking bullpen improvements this offseason. The rich got even richer, as Los Angeles landed the prize of the winter by signing Diaz.

In 62 appearances in 2025, Diaz went 6-3 for the Mets with a 1.63 ERA, 28 saves and 98 strikeouts on his way to earning his third career All-Star selection and being named National League Reliever of the Year for the third time. The Dodgers will certainly benefit from having him at the back end of their bullpen as they try to become the first team to complete a three-peat since the New York Yankees (1998-2000).

The Mets already prepared for Diaz's departure by signing former Milwaukee Brewers and Yankees reliever Devin Williams to a three-year deal. While the team had hoped to create an impressive one-two punch with him and Diaz, Williams' presence should mitigate the loss of the 31-year-old.

Still, it will be an uphill battle in the NL as teams try to chase the Dodgers while they keep reloading for another run to the World Series.