After an epic collapse and non-playoff season, the Mets have a lot of questions heading into the offseason. However, as the club explores ways to get better, they face several big decisions just to keep two first basemen on the long-term roster Pete Alonso closer Edwin Diaz. Alonso has already stated that he will decline his $24MM player option for 2026 in order to re-enter free agency, and Diaz is widely expected to test the market by declining his player option for the 2026-27 season as well (under the terms of Diaz’s deal, he must exercise or decline both options).
Many Mets fans will point out that the club could or should re-sign both players. For a team with a record payroll under Steve Cohen, money isn’t really the goal, and both Alonso and Diaz are coming off big seasons. For all the Mets’ problems in 2025, neither Alonso nor Diaz are part of the problem – Alonso hit .272/.347/.524 with 38 homers in 709 plate appearances, and Diaz recorded 28 saves with a 1.63 ERA and a 38% strikeout rate in 66 1/3 innings.
Of course, retaining any player comes with some concerns. The Mets and Alonso just went through this free-agent dance last winter, and after a lack of interest from other suitors and a series of protracted negotiations with New York management, Alonso finally agreed to a two-year, $54MM deal with an opt-out clause after his first season. Alonso’s goal of entering the market with a better platform for the season has been achieved, and for any club worried about giving up draft picks to sign him, his services won’t come with a qualifying offer this time around.
While Alonso’s numbers are significantly better in 2025 than in 2024, the question of whether Alonso is still a top-tier bat wasn’t one of the major concerns facing the Mets or other free agent suitors last offseason. Alonso is a right-handed player who only plays first base, and the market has not been very welcoming to such players in recent years, regardless of the popularity of their bats. Speaking of defense, Alonso’s glove quality is subpar, setting him up for a future as a DH, so any team signing the slugger will face a looming question: How long are they willing to deploy him at first base. If Alonso is going to be a one-dimensional player in the future, he’s entering his age-31 season, which means he’s one year closer to the end of his prime.
One of the great things about Alonso is that he is extremely durable. Diaz is entering his age-32 season with a health record that includes missing the 2023 season entirely due to knee surgery and a 15-day (minimum) injury in 2024 due to a shoulder impingement. While Diaz hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down on the mound, there’s naturally some concern when considering signing any bullpen arm to a long-term deal, given the inconsistent year-to-year performance of most relievers.
Diaz’s knee injury apparently didn’t occur the last time he entered free agency, but larger concerns about his future performance weren’t much on the minds of the Mets in 2022 when the team quickly re-signed the right-hander to a five-year, $10MM contract shortly after free agency opened. Cohen will naturally be the final say on Diaz’s new contract, but it’s worth noting that Billy Eppler was New York’s general manager at the time of the signing.
Current president of baseball operations David Stearns may have a different opinion on Diaz’s value, here’s why MLB.com Anthony DiComo believes that if the Mets only retain one of their two star free agents, “Alonso has a better chance of staying.” Stearns has traditionally preferred to build his bullpen with relievers on short-term commitments, both during his time running the Brewers’ front office (and focusing more on cheap hidden-gem types) and during his two years in Queens (when salaries were much higher).
DiComo also observed that “almost everyone needs relief pitching,” so while perhaps only a handful of teams can meet Diaz’s expected price tag, “Diaz may also have at least as many suitors as Alonso.” Diaz’s age is a factor in another sense, with Andy Martino of the New York Times noting that Diaz may view this free-agent trip as his “last bite at getting a huge contract.” While Diaz and the Mets share a mutual interest in a reunion, he may not be able to resist accepting a higher offer if a team in greater need outbids the Mets over the years.
is it possible Both Alonso and Diaz playing their last game in Mets uniforms? That seems like the least likely scenario, as then the Mets would have to add first base and someone closer to an offseason shopping list that’s already headlined by a desperate need for starting pitching. Technically, letting Alonso and Diaz go would free up more cap space for Amazin to splurge on rotation help, or allow the club to pursue other quality first base or high-leverage relievers at a lower price. However, for clubs with more or less unlimited budgets, “cap space” may not be that big of an issue. And having two fan favorites leave in the same offseason may not appeal to Mets fans already frustrated by 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.
