5 moves the NY Mets should make if they aren’t willing to go beyond 3 years

2) Sign Pete Fairbanks

A two-year deal worth $18 million is what MLB Trade Rumors predicted for Pete Fairbanks. A surprise offseason addition because the Tampa Bay Rays decided to non-tender him back in November, he’d be a match for the Mets in two scenarios.

With Edwin Diaz, he helps the Mets build a super bullpen alongside Devin Williams. Minus Diaz, he gives the Mets a closer option or someone who’d compete alongside Williams. The Mets might officially elevate Williams to the closer role as well.

Fairbanks has every reason to sign short-term. The tricky part is getting him to agree to not be a closer. He’d be a good pitcher for any team with the will to compete to sign for a season while rebuilding his stock. Several clubs have a vacancy at closer who could be a match for this. He’s an alternative to Diaz who’ll cost far less in whatever role it is he may take on.

Because we are looking exclusively at a situation where no one is added with a contract extending beyond 2028, Fairbanks would be a setup man and insurance policy for whatever happens with Williams as the closer. Clearly, the Mets are at least in some sort of acceptance phase that Williams is their new closer. If Robert Suarez is willing to take a three-year deal, consider him a priority for the Mets, too.