Edwin Diaz is a free agent once again.
The closer opted out of the two years and $28 million left on his contract with the Mets on Monday, noti.group’s Mike Puma reported, sending him back to the open market as one of the top free-agent relief arms.
Diaz had signed a five-year, $102 million contract with the Mets after the 2022 campaign, which included an opt-out after this year.
The 31-year-old is coming off a strong season in which he posted a 1.63 ERA with 28 saves (in 31 chances) and 98 strikeouts across 66 ⅓ innings.
The Mets can make Diaz the qualifying offer — set for $22.02 million — which might hurt his market slightly since the team that signs him would have to give up a draft pick.
Diaz may be the most attractive reliever on the market, along with former Padres closer Robert Suárez, who also exercised his player opt-out on Monday.
First baseman Pete Alonso also opted out of the one year and $24 million he had left on his deal, as he said he would at the end of the season.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
