“Without Edwin Diaz the Mets are cooked”; “Act like a big market team” – Fans erupt as NY outline fallback options Robert Suárez and Pete Fairbanks

Edwin Diaz opted out of his five-year, $102 million contract with the New York Mets at the end of the 2025 season and headed into free agency as one of the best relievers available. The Mets signed Devin Williams to a three-year $51 million contract, but have yet to make a significant step towards re-signing Diaz.

According to MLB writer and analyst Andy Martino, reporting from the Winter Meetings, the Mets are being closely linked to lower-valued bullpen arms of Robert Suarez and Pete Fairbanks.

“They’re talking to Robert Suárez and Pete Fairbanks,” Martino reported. “They’re engaged in the top of the relief market. They could go there. For the same reasons of David Stearns’ rationality and desire for deals that makes sense, it’s not like a sure thing it’s going to be one of those guys, either, depending on where those markets go.”

While Suarez and Fairbanks remain good choices, Mets fans, online, don’t see the value of letting someone like Diaz head to another team.

Here are a few reactions from X:

“You’re insane. Without [Edwin] Diaz we are cooked,” a fan wrote.

“I have no interest in the undervalued. Act like a big market team. We did that last year and missed the playoffs. Also, the backend of the pen is not a strength to right now. Get Diaz,” social media personality Nicky The Good said.

“If Stearns tries to pull that “undervalue” s**t again, I’m calling the cops,” a fan stated.

“Nah I’m done with the whole “turning someone undervalued into a star” thing,” a fan demanded.

“You let Diaz walk…..trust me, Mets fans are going to be counting blown saves like never before,” a fan opined.

“Watch Stearns waste $90 million on Williams and Suarez when he could’ve just signed Diaz,: a fan added.

Diaz, who went 6-3 with a 1.63 ERA and 28 saves, remains a much better option than Suarez (4-6, 2.97 ERA, 40 saves) and Fairbanks (4-5, 2.83 ERA, 27 saves). He led the Mets bullpen last year, which currently consists of Williams, A.J. Minter, Adbert Azolay, Brooks Raley, Huascar Brazoban, etc., and requires upgrades.

Devin Williams excited for prospect of pitching alonsgide Edwin Diaz

Devin Williams, after signing his contract with the Mets, spoke to reporters on Friday about the possibility of pairing with Edwin Diaz in the back of the Mets bullpen.

“I think it’s just a good situation,” Williams said. “If he comes back, I think we’re going to have a really good back of the pen. More good arms is always a good thing. That’s really it.”

Williams started the 2025 season as the New York Yankees’ closer following his trade from the Minnesota Twins. After a shaky start, he had to share his role alongside others in the Yankees bullpen. He finished the regular season with a 4-6, 4.79 ERA.