The New York Mets have allegedly decided to keep standout closer Edwin Díaz.
Díaz’s contract has an opt-out clause, although it is unclear if he will use it. According to Mets reporter Tim Britton of The Athletic, the franchise plans to offer Díaz a qualifying offer if he hits free agency.
“If he opts out and doesn’t swiftly re-sign, the Mets would extend the qualifying offer to Díaz,” said Britton. “He signed too quickly to receive one after 2022.”
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets will pay Díaz $22 million if he accepts their qualifying offer this offseason.
This value exceeds Spotrac’s anticipated average yearly value of $18.3 million for Díaz, surpassing his remaining contract years.
However, Britton suggests another possibilities.
“Díaz is thus likely to opt out, though it’s possible he re-ups with the Mets before officially hitting free agency, like he did after 2022,” according to Britton.
If this happens, Díaz will not get a qualifying offer since the Mets will sign him before he can test the market. Otherwise, New York will extend a qualifying offer to him in the offseason. Any team that signed him would have to compensate the Mets for their draft pick.
The Mets’ 31-year-old closer has a 1.63 ERA and 28 saves this season.
Díaz is unlikely to leave Queens unless he declines the qualifying offer.