David Stearns’ worst NY Mets signing deserves (some) blame for losing Edwin Diaz

Who gets the blame for the New York Mets losing Edwin Diaz? The situation is complicated. The Mets wanted him but weren’t willing to meet his contract demands, hoping to defer more money than he desired.

The fact that we have a myriad of reasons as to why Diaz walked away for the Los Angeles Dodgers tells us this wasn’t the perfect match after all. David Stearns negotiated poorly. Steve Cohen didn’t open up the purse strings enough to give the star closer what he wanted. 

Every transaction has a cause and effect. Stearns’ worst free agent signing for the Mets deserves some of the blame here.

Blame the $17 million the Mets are paying Frankie Montas in 2026 to sit at home for any financial decision we don't like

It does feel like Cohen has stepped aside this offseason in regards to pushing deals through. He was willing to give Pete Alonso a record-setting AAV last year for a first baseman. He deserves credit for allowing the Mets to pursue Juan Soto to the edge of the earth. This offseason, it feels like he’s having Stearns operate within a certain budget and do things his way rather than influence the direction of the roster.

It wasn’t the $3 million difference that had Diaz choosing the Dodgers over the Mets. It was all about getting his money now rather than later. Frankie Montas, who is without a doubt the worst free agent Stearns has brought to Flushing in his 2+ years running the team, is getting the money that would’ve otherwise been easily handed over to the best closer this franchise may have ever had.

The dead money delivered to Montas next season may not be a direct hindrance as to what the club will do. However, it’s hard to deny that when Cohen and Stearns sit down together and open up Quickbooks, the owner doesn’t care so much about who the money is invested into but how much. It was never a good decision to sign Montas to a $17 million contract last offseason let alone give him the player option for 2026. A dangerous move from the start, the financial hit it will deliver seems minor when looking at Cohen’s stock portfolio. 

Still, to see the Mets get stubborn about when Diaz gets his money, one can’t help but believe there are constraints either set by Cohen or even Stearns.

The Mets are spending money and already have three relievers making $11-15 million per year which is significant. The trio of Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, and A.J. Minter is a strong one but with questions. 

New York has yet to blow us away with any free agent deal. Williams seemed to come at market value with maybe the only doubt being the three years. Jorge Polanco got an unimaginable amount. He’s also only Jorge Polanco. The Mets are paying him three years worth of dollars for two seasons, their preferred choice.

Mets fans haven’t heard much from Cohen this offseason. Around when things are going well, apologetic when the pain has ended, it seems as if Stearns is being punished for signings like Montas. Otherwise, how else can we explain why the Mets were so caught up in deferring Diaz’s deal?

Not to be lost is how Munetaka Murakami happened to sign for the same two years, $34 million the Mets paid out to Montas. Something about that contract structure, sans player option in year two, might have you wondering if maybe the Montas deal ended after year one if maybe the Mets would have been more in on him. Whether a possibility or not, the truth is the Mets are