Pete Caldera, Andrew Tredinnick talk MLB Winter Meetings news
NorthJersey.com’s Pete Caldera and Andrew Tredinnick break down how the second day at the Winter Meetings could impact the Yankees and Mets.
ORLANDO, Fla. — The ninth inning won’t have the same feel for the Mets heading into the 2026 season.
After spending seven seasons in Flushing, Edwin Diaz will serve as another team’s closer for at least the next three seasons. According to a report by The Athletic’s Will Sammon, Diaz is in agreement on a three-year deal with the world champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
Despite the Mets adding Devin Williams on a three-year, $51 million deal last week, there was some sense that their newest reliever could potentially serve in a setup role in a scenario where Diaz would return.
Now, Williams figures to settle into the Mets’ closer role with president of baseball operations David Stearns intent on adding around the former Yankees and Brewers reliever.
Diaz leaves a high bar for Williams to clear when it comes to ninth-inning supremacy. A season ago, Diaz was named the National League Reliever of the Year, posting a 1.63 ERA and striking out 98 in 66⅓ innings with a 0.87 WHIP.
The 31-year-old also received down-ballot Cy Young votes back in 2022 when he struck out 118 batters in 62 innings with a 1.31 ERA.
With Diaz no longer in the mix, here is how the Mets’ bullpen is currently constructed (with some clear needs to be filled) and who might be able to help plug in that massive void left by their former All-Star closer:
Devin Williams
Williams struggled out of the gate in his first season in New York with the Yankees, allowing 15 earned runs in his first 23 appearances across 20⅔ innings and ultimately losing his grasp on the closer role in early August.
The 31-year-old righty, who relies on his fastball and “airbender” changeup, finished strong, posting a 2.50 ERA with 34 strikeouts across his final 18 innings with eight holds. He closed with a 4-6 record, 18 saves, 4.79 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 62 innings before tossing four scoreless innings in the postseason.
Brooks Raley
The 37-year-old left-hander was one of the biggest pleasant surprises for the Mets over the course of the 2025 season after he signed back with the club in late April on a one-year deal with a $4.75 million club option for 2026.
Raley, who was working back from Tommy John surgery, ended up posting a 2.45 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 25 strikeouts in 25⅔ innings after his mid-July return. The soft-throwing southpaw leaned on his sweeper and sinker to produce effective results.
A.J. Minter
The 32-year-old left-hander exercised his $11 million player option to remain with the Mets for a second straight season. He continues to work back from a torn lat muscle, with Stearns saying Monday that he could be ready to return shortly after Opening Day.
When Minter was on the mound for his brief stint in 2025, he was dominant. The Texas native allowed two earned runs in 11 innings while striking out 14 batters. He was also returning from season-ending hip surgery the prior season with the Braves.
Huascar Brazoban
One of the Mets’ 2024 trade deadline acquisitions, Brazoban pieced together an up-and-down campaign one year ago as he pitched a career-high 63 innings with a 3.57 ERA, 57 strikeouts and a 1.24 WHIP.
He began with a 1.34 ERA in the first two full months of the season before allowing 20 earned runs in 29⅔ innings over the final four months which was interrupted by a pair of demotions. He has one more minor league option available.
Dylan Ross
The 25-year-old hulking right-hander has one of the most vicious fastballs in the Mets’ system, which he can dial up to triple digits. He was called up for the final series of the season but never able to make his debut.
The Mets’ No. 20 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, struck out 39 batters in 32 innings with a 1.69 ERA for Triple-A Syracuse last season.
Austin Warren
The 29-year-old right-hander consistently floated between Triple A and the major leagues over the course of the season. He ended up appearing in five games in a multi-inning role, striking out nine in 9⅓ innings and allowing one earned run.
He pitched to a 4.97 ERA and 8-4 record in 34 appearances in Syracuse.
Cooper Criswell
The Mets claimed Criswell off waivers from the Red Sox last week. The 29-year-old righty saw limited action for the club last season, allowing seven earned runs in 17⅔ innings.
In a more prominent role in 2024, Criswell made 18 starts (26 appearances) for Boston in 2024, going 6-5 with a 4.08 ERA and 1.35 WHIP.
Reed Garrett and Dedniel Nuñez are expected to miss the season with elbow injuries.
Mets’ potential replacements for Edwin DiazRobert Suarez
Beyond Diaz, Suarez is regarded as the top closer on the free agent market. The 34-year-old right-handed hard thrower led the National League with 40 saves last season, with 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings and a 2.97 ERA.
Could the Mets use some of the money ($23 million per year) being earned by Diaz to grab the next big fish?
Pete Fairbanks
The 31-year-old right-hander has been a quiet, strong late-inning option for the Rays over the last three seasons, finishing with 23 saves or more in each of those campaigns. Last season, Fairbanks notched career highs in saves (27) and innings (60⅓) while posting a 2.83 ERA and 59 strikeouts.
A fellow hard thrower, who relies on his fastball more than half the time, he has posted a sub-3.00 ERA in four of his last six seasons.
Shawn Armstrong
One of the more unheralded free agent relief options, Armstrong is coming off his best season of his career, striking out 74 batters in as many innings with a 2.31 ERA and 0.81 WHIP.
The 10-year veteran gets the job done with a balanced three-fastball arsenal and a slider to keep opponents on their toes.
Luke Weaver
Weaver is no stranger to pitching in the pressure of New York, or the ninth inning for that manner.
The 32-year-old right-hander, who has risen to prominence over the last two seasons, is coming off a campaign with a 4-4 record, 3.62 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 72 strikeouts in 64⅔ innings. He also pinned down eight saves for the Yankees.