The New York Mets head into the winter with a long checklist, but two names tower over the rest. Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz aren’t just free agents; they’re franchise-defining decisions. And as much as the Mets would love to script a clean, drama-free path to keeping both stars, the reality is already proving much more complicated.

Team president David Stearns has made it clear he wants both players back, and the players have said the right things too. Everyone agrees in principle. But until those intentions show up on paperwork, the uncertainty hangs over the Mets like a stubborn cloud.

Diaz’s Free Agency Gets Real

What stood out this week was how blunt Edwin Diaz was when discussing his future. The All-Star reliever didn’t posture or throw vague hints. He simply said he wants to retur

See Full Page