The 2025 season was miserable for the New York Mets. After an unforgettable 2024 season, where Carlos Mendoza’s squad was two wins away from a World Series appearance, David Stearns and Steve Cohen signed Juan Soto to the largest contract in professional sports. Headed into 2025, it was almost unthinkable that the Mets would miss the postseason, yet here we are, and the orange and blue squad won’t be playing any baseball in October. 

Now, the offseason questions begin. Pete Alonso has already stated he’s opting out of his deal with the team, as if it couldn’t get any worse for the Mets. It shouldn’t be surprising that he’s opting out, considering he hit .273, slugged 38 homers, tallied 126 RBIs, and recorded a MLB-leading 41 doubles. Edwin Diaz will likely join Alonso in free agency, as he posted a dominant 1.68 ERA in 61 appearances. 

Bringing back both Alonso and Diaz should be at the top of Stearns’ offseason checklist. Without the two in 2025, they wouldn’t have played a meaningful game 162. Alonso constantly came up in big moments for the Mets, and Diaz was undoubtedly their most important player. 

The case for the Mets to bring back Alonso

Not only is the Polar Bear a fan favorite in Queens, but he’s also one of the game’s best sluggers. Alonso has hit at least 34 homers in every one of his six full seasons (outside of the shortened 2020 season). Across those six seasons, he’s recorded at least 118 RBIs in four of those seasons. The 30-year-old has the third-most home runs since he debuted in 2019. His 712 RBIs since 2019 are the most in MLB. 

Alonso has shown he has the clutch gene on top of all his elite offensive numbers. This season, he hit .309 and posted a 1.021 OPS with runners in scoring position. He’s posted over an .823 OPS with runners in scoring position in six out of his seven seasons. He also saved the Mets in the 2024 playoffs, with one of the most memorable homers in franchise history, when he took Devin Williams deep in the top of the ninth inning to put the Mets up 3-2 in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card series. 

On top of all the production Alonso has provided the Mets since he debuted, he’s been one of the most beloved faces of the franchise. He’s played his entire seven-year career in Queens and has constantly praised the organization. His goal has always been to bring a championship to Queens, and even though it hasn’t happened, he has always left it all out on the diamond. 

Alonso will be hard to replace if the Mets let him walk. It took until Spring Training for New York to reach a deal with the five-time All-Star in the last offseason. Stearns’ plan B for the Mets without Alonso would’ve been using Mark Vientos at first base, which would’ve gone horribly considering Vientos’ forgettable 2025. It will be hard for Mets fans to see the former NL Rookie of the Year play in any other uniform. Additionally, the Mets would be foolish to let someone who consistently provides elite run production walk away. 

The case for the Mets to bring back Diaz

If Stearns doesn’t lock up Diaz if he opts out, it would be the worst loss for the Mets in a long time. He’s undoubtedly a top-three closer in MLB, if not the best. He played a huge role in New York’s 2024 magical run and was their MVP in 2022. In 2025, he was absolutely dominant. After May 1st in 2025, he pitched to an unthinkable 0.99 ERA across 50 appearances. 

Diaz has been one of the best closers in baseball his entire career. The three-time All-Star has pitched to a sub-2.00 ERA four times in his nine-year career. He’s only pitched to an ERA over 4.00 just once in his career, and that was his first season in New York back in 2019. After his 2019 season, he was questioned by the entire Mets fanbase. Since 2020, he’s been a fan favorite, and his entrance into the game has become a staple in baseball. 

When Diaz enters the game in the ninth inning, you can almost guarantee he will get the job done. He does not shy away from big moments. The 31-year-old might just be the Mets’ best closer of all time. When you find someone as trustworthy and dominant as Diaz, you don’t let them leave. Stearns would be a fool to let Diaz slip away in free agency, especially considering how much Diaz shines in the bright lights of New York.