There are reasons for the NY Mets to let Pete Alonso walk, none for Edwin Diaz

A good majority of New York Mets fans want to see some big changes with the ball club while also re-signing Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz. It’s like that Kris Kristoffersen song you only know referenced in the movie Taxi Driver. You only know Kris Kristofferesen from the credits of the first two Blade movies. You only know the Blade movies because you were one of the coolest kids in school back before comic book movies got tame.

Anyway, it’s a bit contradictory to want to see such big alterations while retaining two key players. You’re not wrong. It’s what makes the most sense.

However, there are some suitable reasons to let Alonso walk. First basemen and power hitters are readily available to take a check from the Mets. His desired 7-year deal is never coming from the Mets, potentially pushing him out. What about Diaz? His future feels more clear cut.

There aren’t any good reasons for the Mets to let Edwin Diaz leave

The Mets can replace Alonso (in some regards) quickly. Not Diaz. Still in his prime, the financial side of things doesn’t make much of a difference. Even if his contract ends up with an AAV of around $20 million against the luxury tax, the Mets will have a hard time finding someone for even half of that.

An argument of “I’d rather have two $10 million relievers than one $20 million guy” works until one of them inevitably gets hurt. It sounds good in theory. With how volatile relievers are from year-to-year, someone like Diaz who seems to always figure things out even when they’ve gone wrong feels like a must.

A bullpen headlined by Diaz is automatically going to get expensive. The Mets already seem equipped to handle it. Brooks Raley’s option for 2026 is under $5 million. Savvy trades, maybe the rise of a player like Dylan Ross, and a bargain steal from the free agent pool can start to round out the relief corps. Relievers are so unpredictable that a $5 million deal with Ryne Stanek can end up being costlier than a minor league one with Rico Garcia.

While a pay increase is a part of the negotiations, length should be at the crux of it. Diaz turns 32 in March. It’s not frightening to guarantee him 5 years. Outside of his fluke injury in the WBC in 2023, he has been available to the Mets as much as they could have hoped.

Pitchers, and oftentimes top closers, play well into their 30s and some even reach 40. There is space for him to finish off his time with the Mets as a middle reliever rather than a closer. For the team, it’s a matter of accepting this. With all of the promising young pitchers they have coming up, it seems affordable. There are three more years of Nolan McLean being eligible for league minimum.