While the Mets are still involved Edwin Diaz Regarding the new contract, the club is communicating with other major free agent closers to secure its foundation. Reports earlier this week suggested the Mets were one of many teams involved in the incident Devin Williams” Market, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports that New York has been in contact with Williams and Williams’ representatives “multiple times” recently. Robert Suarez.
That makes the Mets the first club to publicly contact Suarez this winter, though it’s safe to assume that most or all clubs eyeing Williams are similarly exploring Suarez’s asking price. MLB Trade Rumors ranks Williams No. 16 on our list of the top 50 free agents of the offseason and predicts he will get a four-year, $68MM deal, while Suarez ranks No. 21 and gets a three-year deal worth $48MM. (Diaz is the highest-ranked closer on our list at No. 13, with a 4-year forecast and earnings of $82MM.)
Diaz and Williams are both entering their age-32 seasons, while Suarez will turn 35 in March. Even if the team is still willing to give him a high average annual salary on a short-term contract, the age gap itself will cause some restrictions on Suarez’s market. Raisel Iglesias (turns 36 in January) returned to the Warriors on a one-year, $160,000 deal, though Iglesias’ quick departure from the market may suggest he simply preferred returning to Atlanta rather than wait more fully to see if he was guaranteed at least another year.
In fact, Suarez’s age might even be a selling point in how the team approaches the bullpen market. Diaz is reportedly seeking a five-year, $10MM deal similar to the five-year, $10MM deal he previously signed with New York, and while Amazine is interested in bringing Diaz back, Salmon wrote that the team would prefer a shorter-term deal. If Suarez’s age naturally puts him on a three-year contract as a cap hit, that could be fine for the Mets or other teams wary of committing to a relief pitcher long-term.
Suarez felt comfortable enough with his chances in free agency that he opted out of the final two years (and $16MM) of his contract with the Padres. There’s certainly no sign that Suarez is slowing down, either figuratively or literally. Suarez’s 98.6 mph fastball remains one of the highest velocity in the game, and he posted a 2.97 ERA, 27.9% strikeout rate, and 5.9% walk rate in 69 2/3 innings in 2025. In two seasons as San Diego’s closer, Suarez blocked 76 of 87 opportunities and was named to two NFC All-Star teams. He also continued his strong performance into October, posting a 2.45 ERA in 14 2/3 career postseason innings.
