The New York Mets saw this moment coming. When they locked up Edwin Diaz to a record-setting five-year, $102 million deal before the 2023 season, they knew the contract’s opt-out clause after the third year could eventually come into play. And now, it has. The star closer officially exercised that option this week, reentering the open market with plenty of leverage — and plenty of suitors.

Mets Move Quickly with Qualifying Offer

The Mets didn’t waste time reacting. On Thursday, they extended a qualifying offer to Diaz, a one-year proposal worth $22.025 million. It’s a standard move, one that keeps the door open while also securing compensation if he signs elsewhere.

In theory, Diaz could accept and return for 2026 on that deal, but that’s not how these things usually go. Players of his

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