3 threats to steal Edwin Diaz away from the NY Mets who won't be afraid of QO penalty

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz has now officially opted out of his contract and will enter free agency to look for a long-term deal. Although this is not a shock to most Mets fans, the announcement makes the potential of Diaz leaving Queens feel all the more real.

The Mets will undoubtedly offer Diaz a qualifying offer of $22.025 million for draft pick compensation should he leave. If Diaz declines the offer to sign elsewhere, these are the teams that will be more than willing to dish out draft picks and international pool money in compensation to acquire Diaz.

1. Chicago Cubs

After trading for All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker in the offseason, the Cubs met expectations, winning 92 games before losing to the division rival Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS. Now that the season is over, analysts almost unanimously agree that the Cubs will let Kyle Tucker walk in free agency.

Instead of giving Tucker the $350+ million he would receive on the open market, the Cubs could use part of that money to sign Diaz. After a season where the Cubs finished 3rd in the NL Central in bullpen ERA, Diaz would quickly make an impact. While the Cubs initially might hesitate to give up their second-highest draft pick and $500k in international pool money, they will get that or more from the team that signs Kyle Tucker.

2. The Los Angeles Dodgers

With the Dodgers on the books to pay a total of over $1 billion in deferred money from 2028-2046, they will continue to do everything they can to capitalize on their window and become the first team in a quarter century to become three-peat champions.

Tanner Scott signed a 4-year $72 million contract to become the closer in 2025. He had the worst year of his career by far, with a 4.74 ERA and 10 blown saves in 57 innings pitched. A lower-body injury sidelined Scott for the entire postseason, and the Dodgers got better with help from Roki Sasaki, who went 3/3 in save opportunities in October.

Because the Dodgers are over the luxury tax threshold, they will have to forfeit their second and fifth highest draft picks, along with $1 million in international pool money. But as the Dodgers have shown, no price is too high to continue their dynasty.

3. The Atlanta Braves

Now I know what you are thinking... it would truly be a nightmare scenario for Edwin Diaz to don the Braves red and blue, but it makes sense. Raisel Iglesias assumed the closer role after a dominant 2024 campaign and was worse across the board in 2025. His average fastball velocity was down almost a full MPH last season, and it does not look like the Braves are eager to re-sign the aging 35-year-old.

The Braves are much better than the 76-win team they were in 2025. Austin Riley, Ronald Acuna Jr., and Sean Murphy all missed 60 games or more last season, and Bryce Elder was the only pitcher to start more than 23 games. Edwin Diaz would not only bring back a dominant closer to the team, but a guy who knows how to pitch in the NL East.

Braves GM Alex Anthopolous will definitely keep tabs on Diaz this offseason, especially given the fact that they did not go over the luxury tax threshold and would only have to give up their second-highest draft pick and $500k in international pool money.