Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso are officially free agents.
The Mets star closer and homegrown first baseman opted out of their contracts Monday afternoon, sources confirmed to the Daily News, giving the club some work to do as the offseason officially begins.
The end of the World Series marks the start of free agency and the hot stove period. Teams typically use this early period in winter to lay the framework for their offseason. The Mets have already had a month to assess the damage from a spectacular failure of a season. They’ve made some key hires to restructure Carlos Mendoza’s coaching staff, but still have to hire a pitching coach.
They’ve keyed in Justin Willard, the director of pitching for the Boston Red Sox, sources confirmed to The News over the weekend.
Here’s what to know about the Mets as they head into a crucial winter.
DIAZ AND ALONSO OPT OUT
Diaz and Alonso opted out of the remaining years of their contracts. For Diaz, two years and $48 million are voided. For Alonso, it’s one year at $24 million. Both were expected to exercise their opt-out clauses to become free agents, so this isn’t any big surprise. They’ve also said they’d like to return to the Mets.
Teams can negotiate with outgoing free agents for the next few days in an attempt to work out deals to retain them. We saw this in 2022 when Diaz and the Mets came to terms on his five-year, $102 million contract during the five-day negotiation window. It’s typically easier to negotiate with relief pitchers since their value is easier to determine. While it’s certainly possible that Diaz and the Mets get something done this week, so far, there has been to indicate anything is imminent.
With Alonso, it’s going to be more difficult. The slugger reportedly wants a contract in the realm of seven years. Negotiations came down to the wire last winter, with president of baseball operations David Stearns hesitant to re-sign Alonso, especially long-term.
Over the last few years, we’ve seen owner Cohen get involved in recruiting high-profile free agents. Alonso and Cohen have a strong relationship, and Cohen has a very strong relationship with Alonso’s agent, Scott Boras. I wouldn’t expect anything to change in that respect.
Alonso is not eligible for a qualifying offer since he was qualified last winter, the first time he was a free agent. Diaz can receive one. Set for $22.02 million this year, if the Mets qualify Diaz, it could make it more difficult for him to sign a free agent contract elsewhere. Teams that sign players who have received qualifying offers have to forfeit draft picks.
Players have until 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 18 to accept qualifying offers.
FREE AGENT ROLE PLAYERS
In addition to Diaz and Alonso, the Mets have eight other players who are now free agents: outfielders/designated hitters Starling Marte and Jesse Winker, outfielder Cedric Mullins, starting right-hander Griffin Canning, and relievers Ryne Stanek, Tyler Rogers, Gregory Soto and Ryan Helsley.
PLAYER OPTIONS
Left-handed reliever A.J. Minter will exercise his player option for 2026. Again, this isn’t surprising. Minter, who missed most of last season after undergoing lat surgery, confirmed months ago that he would opt in for 2026. The veteran reliever already was coming off an injury when he went through free agency last season and he doesn’t want to go through that again. The player option gives him some security for next season.
Right-hander Frankie Montas will also exercise his player option, though the Mets could choose not to tender him a contract. A disastrous season that included a lat injury and a move to the bullpen made him a non-tender candidate even before he underwent Tommy John surgery in September.
Left-handed reliever Brooks Raley and right-handed reliever Drew Smith have club options for next year. The Mets are expected to pick them up.
The non-tender deadline is Nov. 21.
TRADE MARKET
Ring the bell: the market is open for business.
Teams can trade players signed to major league contracts beginning Monday, though it typically takes about a month for things to heat up. The biggest name on the trade block this winter is right-hander Tarik Skubal, and the Mets are expected to be in the mix for the Detroit Tigers ace.
The Tigers are having trouble coming to terms on a long-term extension for the 28-year-old Skubal, which could force them to seek a trade. The best pitcher in the American League, Skubal is likely going to win his second-straight Cy Young Award this winter. He would be a boon to a Mets’ pitching staff that lacked a clear cut ace last year.
Skubal is reportedly seeking a $400 million contract, the largest for a pitcher in history. Detroit is about $200 million off from that number, but they still control the pitcher for another season with Skubal entering his final arbitration year. It would be foolish for the Tigers to not try to lock him up long-term, but even more foolish to let him walk as a free agent next winter for next to nothing, especially with a lockout looming.
LABOR BATTLE
Speaking of the looming lockout, labor will undoubtedly be a hot topic this offseason, especially at the general manager meetings and winter meetings. It’s unfortunate, considering the incredible momentum the sport has after a thrilling postseason. Viewership and attendance went up this season, interest is higher than it’s been in years, and the league has bonafide stars becoming household names like Shohei Ohtani, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Cal Raleigh.
KEY DATES
– Free agency begins: Nov. 6 at 5 p.m.
– GM meetings and awards week: Nov. 10-13 in Las Vegas
– Winter meetings: Dec. 8-10 in Orlando
– Rule 5 Draft: Dec. 10
– Deadline to file for arbitration: Jan. 9
– International signing period opens: Jan 10
