When you think about the Mets’ offseason and what the team will look like at the start of the 2026 campaign, there are a few things that immediately come to mind.
One is the future of the offensive core, which was broken up when Brandon Nimmo was traded to the Rangers for Marcus Semien.
Another is the free agency of Pete Alonso, who could return but whose power would have to be replaced externally if he signs elsewhere — with the Red Sox and Orioles among the teams in pursuit.
Then there’s the starting rotation, which will very likely be bolstered in a big way — with a trade for a top-of-the-rotation arm seeming likely.
Regarding the bullpen?
The relief corps will look a lot different in 2026 — and the team will feel a lot different — with Edwin Diaz leaving to sign a three-year deal with the Dodgers.
The hope when the Mets signed Devin Williams was that his addition was part one, with the return of Diaz being part two.
With that possibility out the window, New York has serious work to do.
As the Mets go about that, here’s how things are shaking out…
The Locks
Williams, Brooks Raley, and A.J. Minter.
New York Yankees relief pitcher Devin Williams (38) reacts after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium / Brad Penner – Imagn Images
And Minter, who missed most of last season after surgery to repair a torn lat, could be a few weeks behind to start the season.
Ryan Helsley signed with the Orioles, while Tyler Rogers and Gregory Soto — acquired, like Helsley, at last season’s trade deadline — are free agents.
Ryne Stanek is also a free agent, and Drew Smith‘s option for 2026 was declined. Smith had been working his way back from Tommy John surgery.
Meanwhile, Reed Garrett and Dedniel Núñez are both expected to miss the entire season after undergoing TJS.
Williams is penciled in as the closer, while Raley and Minter are both legitimate late-game weapons.
Raley was tremendous in 2025 after returning from his own Tommy John surgery. In 30 appearances over 25.2 innings, he posted a 2.45 ERA (2.12 FIP) and 0.77 WHIP.
The Internal Candidates
Huascar Brazoban figures to be in the mix again, and hard-throwing prospects Dylan Ross and Ryan Lambert could also be a factor.
Other relievers who could compete for roles include Jonathan Pintaro (who made his big league debut last season), Adbert Alzolay (who is on a two-year minor league deal and missed the 2025 season), Justin Hagenman, Brandon Waddell, Richard Lovelady, Alex Carrillo, and Joey Gerber.
But in an eight-man bullpen that has only three locks as of now (and perhaps just two if Minter is delayed), it’s fair to believe the Mets will only rely on one or perhaps two of the aforementioned internal candidates out of the gate.
That means there is more work to do.
The External Candidates
Everything is on the table now that Diaz is gone.
Re-signing him should’ve been the easiest move the Mets made all offseason. But here we are.
Apr 17, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz (39) enters the field during the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field. / Vincent Carchietta – Imagn Images
That they not only lost Diaz, but saw him leave on a three-year deal to the team they’ll almost have to certainly go through in the National League playoffs was stunning.
No matter what happened at the end of the Diaz negotiations, it’s very difficult to square it.
In effect, the Mets lost a player who said over and over that he wanted to be in New York over a matter of $3 million.
With Diaz gone, the top option to fill the vacant late-inning role could be Robert Suarez, who is entering his age-35 season and has a scintillating fastball. The Mets have shown interest in Suarez, and it’s fair to wonder if he can possibly be had on a two-year at a higher average annual value than the one he just opted out of.
There’s also Pete Fairbanks, who is entering his age-32 season and has been one of the best relievers in baseball since 2020. He’s on the market after his option was declined by the cost-conscious Rays.
Other intriguing free agent relief arms include Kenley Jansen, Emilio Pagan, Luke Weaver, and Kyle Finnegan. In the case of Jansen, it’s possible he would want to close since he’s chasing the 500-save mark.
In an ideal world, the Mets will land Suarez on a two-year deal and have him be the setup man for Williams, with the hope that Williams’ stuff will shine through after a relatively down 2025.
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