Top Edwin Díaz alternative seems to fit what the NY Mets would prefer to do

The New York Mets may still be hoping Edwin Díaz returns, but their actions — and their philosophy — tell a clearer story. New York has drawn a firm line this offseason: they’re not going beyond three years for a pitcher. And while Díaz is seeking a contract that mirrors his previous five-year, $102 million megadeal, the Mets appear far more comfortable operating in a shorter, more controlled window.

That’s why former San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez stands out as the cleanest, most realistic fit for what David Stearns wants this winter. He checks every box the Mets have put in front of themselves — high-end stuff, late-inning experience, durability, and, most importantly, a projected three-year deal that won’t lock them into another long-term bullpen gamble.

Robert Suarez looks like the Mets’ ideal Edwin Díaz backup plan this winter

The numbers back up the interest. Suarez quietly became one of the most reliable late-inning arms in baseball. MLB Trade Rumors highlighted the right-hander’s bounce-back strikeout surge, jumping to a 27.9 percent K-rate, while also cutting his walks to a career-low 5.9 percent.

His final line (2.97 ERA over 69 2/3 innings) undersells how dominant he really was. Outside of a rocky three-week stretch between mid-June and early July, Suarez was nearly untouchable. In the second half alone, he delivered a 2.17 ERA with a strikeout rate pushing 30 percent. Those are numbers of a pitcher who isn’t merely a fallback. He’s a legitimate ninth-inning weapon.

Contrast that with the Edwin Díaz situation. The Mets absolutely value Díaz, and it’s clear the door isn’t closed. But with Díaz seeking long-term security and other contenders lurking, New York simply may not be willing — or able — to play in that sandbox. 

Suarez offers a compact deal, a dominant profile, and no long runway of seasons on the backend. For a Mets team trying to build a sustainable contender without handcuffing themselves financially, he represents the perfect balance between upside and restraint.

If Díaz ultimately prices himself into a longer contract elsewhere, the Mets won’t be scrambling. They’ve already signed Devin Williams and have identified another closer who aligns with the blueprint.