The New York Mets head into the Winter Meetings with more questions than answers-and that’s putting it mildly. What started as a season full of promise turned into one of the most dramatic collapses we’ve seen in recent Major League history.
At one point, they were pacing the league with the best record in baseball. Fast forward to the end of the season, and they had spiraled into a second-half freefall that left fans stunned and the front office scrambling.
Let’s put it into perspective: the Mets began the year 45-24. That’s a team on a 100-win pace.
Then came the unraveling. They closed the season going 31-47-worse than all but three teams in the league.
That’s not just a slump; that’s a full-on nosedive. And it left the organization with a glaring message: the status quo isn’t going to cut it.
Now, the offseason has already brought its own wave of turbulence. Pete Alonso opted out of his contract, and shortly after, star closer Edwin Díaz followed suit, declining the final two years and $38 million left on his deal. Just like that, the Mets lost two of their most important clubhouse figures-and two cornerstones of their roster.
Díaz’s departure, in particular, leaves a massive hole at the back end of the bullpen. When he’s on, he’s one of the most electric closers in the game.
His slider-fastball combo is elite, and his presence alone can shorten a game by three innings. Without him, the Mets are suddenly in the market for a proven ninth-inning arm-and they may already have their eyes on one.
One name that’s surfaced as a potential target is former Yankees closer Devin Williams. Williams is coming off a rough campaign, posting a career-worst 4.79 ERA and eventually losing his closing job midseason. The bright lights of the Bronx didn’t do him any favors, but a move across town to Queens might offer the kind of fresh start he needs.
Despite the struggles, Williams still possesses elite stuff-his changeup remains one of the most deceptive pitches in baseball. And for a Mets bullpen that lacked consistency and firepower last season, bringing in a reliever with his upside could be a difference-maker. There’s no question he’d be given the chance to reclaim a closer role, especially if Díaz doesn’t return.
Of course, that opportunity comes with pressure. The Mets can’t afford another second-half meltdown, and if things go sideways again, Williams could find himself shifted into a setup role permanently. Still, for a team that needs to make bold moves and reestablish its identity, rolling the dice on a high-upside arm like Williams might be exactly the kind of swing they need to take.
With the Winter Meetings underway, the Mets’ front office has some big decisions to make. Replacing Díaz, addressing the bullpen, and restoring confidence in the clubhouse aren’t optional-they’re mandatory if this team wants to turn the page.
The collapse of 2025 is in the rearview mirror, but the road ahead is anything but smooth. The Mets have the payroll, the market, and the motivation.
Now they need the right moves.