The New York Mets looked like world-beaters through the first two months of the season. They jumped out to a 45-24 record, the best in baseball at the time, and had fans dreaming of October baseball deep into the fall.
But as any seasoned fan knows, baseball doesn’t hand out trophies in June. It’s a 162-game grind, and the Mets found that out the hard way.
Since that red-hot start, the wheels came off. New York dropped 47 of its next 78 games, a stretch that saw them tumble out of playoff contention and into the bottom tier of the league standings.
Only the Rockies, Twins, and Nationals have been worse over that span. It’s not just a slump-it’s been a full-blown unraveling.
The latest blow? A six-game losing streak capped by a 6-0 deficit against Jacob deGrom, a painful reminder of what once was.
The former ace, now pitching elsewhere, dominated while the Mets struggled to even stay afloat. The contrast couldn’t have been starker.
Now, the focus shifts to the offseason-and it’s shaping up to be a critical one. The Mets are staring down the possibility of losing two cornerstone players: Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz.
Alonso’s future remains uncertain, but Díaz is already on the move. The All-Star closer opted out of the final two years of his deal, walking away from $38 million guaranteed to test free agency for the first time in his career.
That’s a major development for a Mets team that leaned heavily on Díaz in recent years. When healthy and in rhythm, Díaz is among the most dominant relievers in the game.
His high-90s fastball and devastating slider make him a nightmare for hitters in the late innings. Losing him not only leaves a massive hole in the bullpen-it also signals a possible shift in the team’s direction.
Meanwhile, north of the border, the Toronto Blue Jays are watching closely. They’ve already made a splash this offseason, handing Dylan Cease a massive seven-year, $210 million contract. That kind of move sends a message: Toronto is going all-in.
And they’re not done. The Blue Jays are reportedly still in the mix for big names like Kyle Tucker and, yes, Edwin Díaz.
Toronto’s bullpen was solid last season, but after Jeff Hoffman blew a save in Game 7 of the NLCS against the Dodgers, there’s a clear urgency to fortify the back end. Díaz would bring experience, elite stuff, and postseason pedigree to a team that’s already built to win now.
For Díaz, the fit makes sense. The Blue Jays boast one of the most complete rosters in the league, and they’re hungry for a title.
Toronto hasn’t won it all since 1993, and the front office is doing everything it can to change that. Adding a lockdown closer like Díaz could be the final piece to push them over the top.
The Mets, on the other hand, are entering a pivotal stretch. After a season that started with so much promise and ended in disappointment, this winter could define their trajectory for years to come. Whether they retool around young talent or continue to chase stars in free agency, one thing is clear: the status quo isn’t cutting it.
And as for Díaz? He’s about to become one of the most sought-after arms on the market. Wherever he lands, he’ll bring elite late-inning firepower-and potentially shift the balance of power in the postseason race.