3 NY Mets closer options if Edwin Diaz leaves in free agency

2) Kenley Jansen

Free agency is always an alternative. Kenley Jansen is coming off of a good year with the Los Angeles Angels. As a positive, he got all of October off and probably knew he would when he signed his deal.

Jansen recently turned 38 but had a 2.59 ERA in 62 appearances. He had 29 saves for the Angels. There are signs of age catching up with him. His 8.7 K/9 rate is the lowest of any season in his career. His 44.6% hard-hit rate was also the highest of his career among the seasons where it was recorded. Shark infested waters have fewer red flags on the beaches than he does as a free agent.

The Mets may not be entirely dissuaded from signing him. He took a $10 million deal last year. It shouldn’t cost much more, if at all, for his services on a one-year deal in 2026. Despite the faults, Jansen had his lowest WHIP since 2018. 59 games of postseason experience with a 2.20 ERA in the playoffs, no moment seems too big for him.

The benefit of signing a player like Jansen is the financial savings that can be allocated elsewhere. Jansen at, let’s just say $12 million due to inflation, gives the Mets another $8 million they could save by letting Diaz walk.

It’s not preferable to have Jansen instead of Diaz. The Mets could do far worse.