For the New York Mets, a season that ended in disaster has given way to an offseason full of question marks.

First baseman Pete Alonso has confirmed he’s headed to free agency for the second year in a row. But he could soon be joined by closer Edwin Díaz, who can opt out of the final two years of his record-setting $102 million contract, which was front-loaded so the three-time All-Star could chase a bigger payday at this juncture if he was still performing well.

Well, Díaz just had a fantastic season, posting a 1.63 ERA, 3.0 wins above replacement, and 98 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings. He may very well opt out, and although he’s loved his time in New York, the Mets will need to start considering backup plans in case negotiations for a new contract fall through.

One insider recently suggested that a trade could be the eventual solution to the loss of Díaz if that scenario comes to pass.

On Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com named Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks as a trade candidate for the Mets to replace Díaz.

“The most obvious closer potentially available is Tampa Bay’s Pete Fairbanks, who has saved 75 games with a 2.98 ERA over the last three seasons,” wrote DiComo. “His name has been bandied about in trade talks for much of that tenure, and the Rays haven’t been shy about dealing from their bullpen in the recent past — including trades to send Brooks Raley and Phil Maton to the Mets. Those front offices have a productive working relationship.”

Fairbanks, 31, has a $12.5 million club option for this season, so he’d just be a one-year replacement unless his new team decided to extend him. He’s no Díaz, but he’s an above-average closer who wouldn’t break the bank.

Additionally, it may be worthwhile for the Mets to consider a Fairbanks trade even if Díaz isn’t traded. Their attempt to build a super-bullpen at the trade deadline this year didn’t pay off, but perhaps Fairbanks would be more effective in a setup role (which he’s had before) than Ryan Helsley was.

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