How the NY Mets can finish off a super bullpen with and without Edwin Diaz

The New York Mets have signaled a clear intention to dominate in the late innings, aiming to construct one of baseball's most fearsome relief corps. The acquisition of dominant closer Devin Williams has already provided a massive shot in the arm, establishing a high floor for the team's bullpen success. However, the ultimate ceiling of this unit hinges on one major question: the return of their charismatic and electric former closer, Edwin Díaz.

With Williams now in the fold, the Mets have the luxury of pursuing two distinct yet equally formidable bullpen constructions. The decision to re-sign Díaz carries a hefty price tag but would instantly form a nearly impenetrable back-end duo. Conversely, letting Díaz walk would free up substantial capital, allowing the front office to spread those funds to acquire a deeper collection of high-leverage arms, thus building a super bullpen through sheer depth and versatility. Both paths offer a championship-caliber relief staff, but with distinctly different profiles and budgetary constraints.

The two paths to bullpen dominance

Path 1: A deep, versatile bullpen (without Edwin Díaz)

In the scenario where the Mets opt not to re-sign Edwin Díaz, the estimated $100 million over five years is immediately freed up for strategic allocation. This capital would be used to secure three established, high-impact free agents: the recently non-tendered high-leverage arm Pete Fairbanks, the unique submarine specialist Tyler Rogers, and the newly converted dominant reliever Luke Weaver. With Fairbanks projected to command around $14 million AAV, Rogers around $9-10 million AAV, and Weaver around $10 million AAV, the Mets could package a competitive offer for all three, turning the single Díaz commitment into a three-man rotation of elite setup and multi-inning men.

This configuration is built on diverse profiles and the ability to win matchups, leveraging the closing capability of Devin Williams alongside the high-leverage experience of Fairbanks. Rogers, with his unique delivery, provides an extreme groundball specialist and elite platoon advantage, while Weaver offers crucial multi-inning flexibility and power out of the bullpen. The proven back-end addition of these three arms, combined with the established strength of A.J. Minter and the reliable foundation of Huascar Brazobán, Brooks Raley, and Adbert Alzolay, fields a relief staff that is deep enough to withstand the rigors of a 162-game season.

Bullpen scenario without Díaz:

• Devin Williams
• Pete Fairbanks
• Luke Weaver
• Tyler Rogers
• A.J. Minter
• Huascar Brazoban
• Brooks Raley
• Albert Alzolay

Path 2: The two-headed monster (with Edwin Díaz)

If the Mets succeed in re-signing Edwin Díaz for the demanding $100 million or around that, they instantly cement what would arguably be the most dominant closing duo in baseball history alongside Devin Williams. This would create a near-unhittable final two innings, where opposing hitters face a choice between Díaz's overwhelming velocity and "Trombone" slider, and Williams' devastating "Airbender" changeup. This scenario maximizes their chances to shut down any late-game lead, putting an unprecedented focus on the 8th and 9th innings.

However, the massive investment in Díaz leaves little to no money for further high-end acquisitions like Fairbanks or Weaver. The remaining financial maneuvering would focus on complementary pieces to bridge the gap to the two closers. Signing a specialist like Tyler Rogers remains a priority for his elite groundball rate, but the final arm would need to be a low-key, high-value signing. The team would target a reliever who was among the top 20 xERA free agent pitchers in 2025 but is available on a lower-value contract, such as Tyler Kinley, providing a high-upside, cost-effective option to complete the eight-man unit, relying heavily on the sheer power of their elite top arms.

Bullpen scenario with Díaz:

• Edwin Díaz
• Devin Williams
• Tyler Rogers
• A.J. Minter
• Tyler Kinley
• Huascar Brazoban
• Brooks Raley
• Adbert Alzolay

Both configurations represent a serious commitment to late-game excellence, a necessity for any championship contender. The Mets have positioned themselves to build an elite bullpen regardless of Díaz's ultimate decision, ensuring that the final three innings will be a formidable challenge for every opponent in the league.