What are the chances Díaz re-signs with Mets? He says '50-50'

The last time Edwin Díaz was a free agent, at the end of the 2022 season, the Mets moved quickly to re-sign him. The club finalized a five-year, $102 million deal -- a reliever record -- just four days after the World Series. This time around, the two sides don’t appear to be racing toward a resolution.

Díaz, who opted out of his contract earlier this month to become a free agent once again, said Thursday at the MLB Awards presented by MGM Rewards in Las Vegas that his representatives have had discussions with the Mets about a new contract. However, he put his chances of returning to Queens at “50-50.”

Díaz’s market is already taking shape. According to a report from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, Díaz’s reps met with the Blue Jays at the GM Meetings.

Toronto could be motivated to explore an upgrade after Jeff Hoffman’s up-and-down 2025 season. Signed to a three-year, $33 million deal last offseason, Hoffman posted a 4.37 ERA while allowing 15 homers over 68 innings for the Blue Jays. He was sharper in the playoffs but blew a save in Game 7 of the World Series against the Dodgers, allowing a game-tying home run to Miguel Rojas with Toronto two outs away from a title. The Blue Jays went on to lose in extra innings.

While this year’s class of free-agent closers has a number of big names, including Robert Suarez, Devin Williams, Raisel Iglesias, Ryan Helsley, Pete Fairbanks and Kenley Jansen, Díaz is the clear headliner.

Díaz earned his third Reliever of the Year Award on Thursday, following a season that saw him post a 1.63 ERA with 98 strikeouts and 28 saves over 66 1/3 innings.