It took Edwin Diaz's NY Mets free agency one day to get so much more complicated

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz has widely been assumed to be the top closer on the free-agent market this winter. The relatively shallow class of ninth-inning firemen probably led to his decision to forego the final three years and $48 million on his deal, as market scarcity would have driven his price tag much, much higher.

Only one legitimate top-tier alternative was set to exist on the free-agent market in the form of San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez. A late-bloomer, Suarez led the NL in saves, but his shorter track record and lack of elite strikeout stuff put him a tick below Diaz.

The Athletic's Jim Bowden pegged Diaz's next contract at four years, $88 million, a number only the usual suspects of big spending could dream of relinquishing to a reliever. However, in a somewhat surprising decision, the Tampa Bay Rays have declined their option on star closer Pete Fairbanks, throwing another heavyweight into the free-agent ring.

The Rays declining Pete Fairbanks' option gives the Mets an Edwin Diaz alternative, putting the star closer's hopes at a massive payday in jeopardy

Regardless of what happens, Diaz will still be paid handsomely this winter, but maybe not as handsomely as he might like. Fairbanks getting thrown into the mix not only gives contenders another ninth-inning option to consider, but one that they might prefer more.

Like Diaz, Fairbanks possesses a high-90s fastball and wipeout slider, though in recent years he hasn't racked up the Ks at the same rate as the Mets relief ace.

While both are 31, Fairbanks has a lot less mileage on his right arm, with only 265 career innings pitched, versus nearly double for Diaz at 519 frames. That isn't to say that the soon-to-be former Ray lacks experience closing out games; however, with 75 saves recorded over the past three seasons.

Over the past three seasons, Fairbanks has a 2.98 ERA versus a 2.08 ERA for Diaz, showing that, as good as Fairbanks is, Diaz is still a cut above.

However, for many teams, it will come down to cost. If Fairbanks is 90% as good as Diaz but comes at 70% the price, many would jump at that, even if Diaz's price tag has to come down a bit from the sky-high projections by virtue of another comparable option now coming into existence.

Lastly, certain teams might prefer Fairbanks to Diaz because of what they see in him. For example, it's not crazy to think that David Stearns might prefer Fairbanks to Diaz due to his affinity for Rays players, and the fact that Diaz was a player he inherited from a previous regime and not a signing he put his own stamp on.

Regardless of what the Mets' preference will be, what is for sure is that the presence of another top-tier closer on the open market will make Diaz's life that much harder as he navigates the market and tries to find his next jackpot.