Edwin Díaz is officially gone, and while Mets fans are still processing the breakup, it’s clear this split was a long time coming. From the outside looking in, it never really felt like Díaz was itching to run it back in Queens. And when you start peeling back the layers - the Mets moving quickly to sign Devin Williams, the lingering tension over coaching changes, and the whispers of other suitors - it becomes pretty obvious this was more than just a contract negotiation gone sideways.
One of the more intriguing subplots? The Atlanta Braves.
Yes, the Mets’ division rival reportedly made a run at Díaz with a five-year offer. Now, it didn’t hit the financial benchmarks Díaz was aiming for - namely, less deferred money and a salary north of $20 million annually - but the idea of him landing in Atlanta was very much on the table.
And let’s be real: if Díaz had chosen the Braves, the reaction in New York would’ve been nuclear.
The Braves aren’t known for backing up the Brinks truck in free agency. Their M.O. has been to lock up young talent early and avoid the kind of mega-deals that can hamstring a roster down the line. It’s a strategy that’s kept them competitive year after year, but with just one World Series title over the last three decades, there’s always that lingering question of whether they’re playing it too safe.
Still, Atlanta didn’t walk away empty-handed. They re-signed Raisel Iglesias to keep the ninth inning locked down and added Robert Suarez in free agency.
Suarez, who was likely Plan B after Díaz, will slot into a setup role and provide a strong bridge to Iglesias. It’s a savvy move that keeps their bullpen deep without creating any unnecessary drama about who’s closing games.
As for Díaz, there were signs that his Mets exit wasn’t just about the money. His brother, Alexis Díaz, has spoken highly of the Dodgers’ infrastructure - a team that has now landed Edwin - and that kind of behind-the-scenes support system clearly mattered.
Adding to the friction was the Mets’ decision to part ways with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, a move that reportedly didn’t sit well with Díaz. Interestingly, Hefner has since landed with the Braves, which only adds another wrinkle to the “what if” scenario.
Had Díaz chosen Atlanta, it would’ve felt like a gut punch - not just because of the talent walking out the door, but because of where he was headed. Losing a star closer is one thing.
Watching him anchor the bullpen for a division rival for the next five years? That’s the kind of thing that sticks with a fanbase.
Thankfully for the Mets, that nightmare didn’t come true.
So yes, the Mets lost Díaz. But they didn’t lose him to the Braves.
That matters. It doesn’t make the breakup any easier, but it does soften the blow.
Instead of watching him slam the door shut on the Mets 19 times a season, they can at least take solace in the fact that he’s not haunting them from within the division.
In the end, the Dodgers got stronger, the Braves stayed sharp, and the Mets are left to retool with Devin Williams now expected to take over the closer role. It’s a new chapter in Queens, but the echoes of what almost was - Díaz in a Braves uniform - will linger for a while.