The New York Mets' offseason had its fair share of twists, but none hit quite as hard as watching Edwin Díaz walk away in free agency - and land with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
It’s one thing to lose a top-tier closer. It’s another when that closer signs with the reigning two-time World Series champions, a team that already sits atop the National League’s power structure. And for a Mets team hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign, the idea of having to go through L.A. - and potentially face Díaz in a high-leverage postseason moment - is a scenario that looms large.
That’s the nightmare Mets fans are trying not to think about, but it’s hard to ignore. If New York manages to put together a strong season and makes a deep run, there’s a real chance the road to the World Series will go through Chavez Ravine. And waiting in the Dodgers’ bullpen could be the same electric arm that used to slam the door shut in Queens.
The Mets didn’t sit on their hands after Díaz’s departure. They moved to reinforce the bullpen, bringing in Devin Williams and Luke Weaver, both from across town with the Yankees.
Williams brings a nasty changeup and closing experience, while Weaver adds depth and flexibility. It’s a solid response - but let’s be honest: there’s only one Edwin Díaz.
When Díaz is right, he’s not just a closer - he’s a game-ender. His fastball-slider combo is elite, and his mound presence is undeniable. The Dodgers didn’t just add another arm; they added a difference-maker, someone who can tilt a postseason series with one inning of dominance.
And the reason he’s not still in blue and orange? The Dodgers simply made the better offer. It was a straightforward move, but one that could carry major implications come October.
For the Mets, it capped an offseason that started slowly, drew plenty of scrutiny, but eventually found its rhythm. They retooled after a late-season collapse that saw them miss the playoffs entirely.
Several familiar faces exited, and new ones arrived. The roster looks different, and the hope is that the results will be, too.
But if the Mets find themselves in a tight NLCS battle with the Dodgers - and Díaz comes jogging in from the bullpen with the game on the line - it’ll be one of those full-circle moments that baseball seems to specialize in. A reminder that in this sport, the margins are razor-thin, and sometimes the difference between heartbreak and glory is the guy you let get away.