Insider suggests Yankees could steal Mets star pitcher in free agency

The New York Yankees could poach one of the Mets' best players in free agency this offseason.

Jun 12, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz (39) reacts after getting the final out of the game against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

New York Mets fans don't want to imagine what their bullpen would have looked like without star closer Edwin Diaz as its anchor during the 2025 season.

While the relief corps crumbled around him down the stretch of the 2025 campaign, Diaz remained as rock solid as ever, and ultimately produced a sterling 1.63 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 66.1 innings pitched during the regular season.

Read more: Insider reveals why Pete Alonso returning to Mets is unlikely

These fantastic stats don't necessarily come as a surprise, given that Diaz has been one of baseball's most reliable relievers for the past decade. But this success still came at a great time for the 32-year-old, given that he has the option to opt out of the final two years and $37 million of the five-year, $102 million deal he signed with New York in 2022.

Jul 15, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; National League pitcher Edwin Diaz (39) of the New York Mets pitches in the ninth inning during the 2025 MLB All Star Game at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Diaz hasn't declared his intention to opt out quite yet. But considering that most believe he's worth a considerable amount more than the four-year, $72 million contract that southpaw closer Tanner Scott signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers last offseason (which was the biggest contract for a reliever in MLB history), one can't blame Diaz for wanting to test the free agency waters.

It's worth noting that just because Diaz could (and likely will) opt out and become a free agent, that doesn't necessarily mean that he doesn't want to remain with the Mets. In fact, he has said that he would be more than open to returning to New York, but would presumably want to do so on a new deal.

Edwin Díaz has not yet thought about if he'll opt out of his contract

If he does, he says he would "love" to return to the Mets: "I love this organization - they've treated me really, really good" pic.twitter.com/WqELPCVH4t

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) September 28, 2025

Yankees Listed as Top Potential Fit for Edwin Diaz

However, the Mets aren't the only New York team that would make sense for Diaz. MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand conveyed as much when listing the Yankees (along with the Mets and the Baltimore Orioles) as three top potential fits for Diaz in free agency in an October 22 article.

The Yankees traded for once-elite closer Devin Williams last offseason but Williams was disappointing for much of the 2025 campaign. This prompted the Mets' cross-town rival to trade for Camilo Doval and David Bednar at the trade deadline to help shore up the back end of their bullpen.

While Bednar (who pitched well as the Yankees' closer after being traded) is still under team control through 2026, the Yankees' front office has been known to load up on assets, especially when it comes to the bullpen. So it wouldn't be a surprise to see them make a major push at stealing Diaz from the Mets this winter.