3 landing spots for Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso after same Mets decision

Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso will have no shortage of suitors on the free agent market after the pair of Mets stars decided to opt out of their contracts with New York

View 3 Images

Two of the Mets’ biggest stars are taking their talents to the free agent market.

On Monday, first baseman Pete Alonso proved good on his remarks immediately following New York’s lackluster finish to the 2025 campaign by declining his $24-million player option with the Mets.

Closer Edwin Diaz will also be testing his luck in free agency, having opted out of the two years and $38 million remaining on his contract. Following the 2022 campaign, he inked a five-year, $102 million deal with the Mets.

Alonso and Diaz proved to be two of the light spots in what was otherwise a disastrous season for the Mets, who failed to reach the postseason despite at one point having the best record in the majors.

Over 162 games, Alonso slashed .272/.347/.524 with 38 home runs, 126 RBIs and 87 runs while also shattering the franchise home run record.

Diaz, meanwhile, pitched to a stellar 1.63 ERA with a 3.0 WAR and 98 strikeouts en route to earning his third career All-Star selection.

Should Alonso and Diaz end up leaving the Big Apple for good, Mirror U.S. Sports looks at three of the best fits for each player.

View 3 Images

Pete Alonso landing spot No. 1: New York Yankees

The Mets’ crosstown rival could be in search of a long-term answer at first base this offseason, with veteran Paul Goldschmidt set to hit free agency.

Revenge is a dish best served cold, and the Yankees certainly haven’t forgotten about outfielder Juan Soto’s decision to sign a record-breaking contract with the Mets instead of remaining in the Bronx last year.

Landing spot No. 2: Boston Red Sox

With third baseman Alex Bregman choosing to forgo the final two seasons of his three-year, $120 million deal, the Red Sox might look to replace his bat in the lineup by adding a star at the other corner of the diamond.

Triston Casas is hardly a shoe-in to be Boston’s Day 1 starter at first base next season considering the 25-year-old is coming off two injury-riddled campaigns — most recently rupturing his left patellar tendon.

Landing spot No. 3: Chicago Cubs

Much like the Red Sox, the Cubs could be in the market for a big bat if they are unable to bring back Kyle Tucker, who will have no shortage of suitors in free agency and is likely to command a new contract worth around $500 million.

While Michael Busch has been serviceable for the Cubs at first base over the last two years, Chicago could easily shift him to either second base or designated hitter in order to make room for Alonso.

View 3 Images

Edwin Diaz landing spot No. 1: Los Angeles Dodgers

Even after securing back-to-back World Series titles, the Dodgers still have areas of their roster to improve — namely bullpen.

Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates each had underwhelming seasons after joining the Dodgers last year, but Los Angeles will likely show no hesitancy to go after the biggest relievers in free agency.

Landing spot No. 2: Atlanta Braves

As if losing Alonso to the Yankees wouldn’t be bad enough, one of the Mets’ biggest rivals in the NL East could also be a sensible fit for Diaz.

Braves’ Raisel Iglesias elected free agency on Monday, leaving the club in clear need of someone to man the closer role.

Landing spot No. 3: Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks struggled to find a serviceable closer for much of last season following the loss of Justin Martinez, who underwent Tommy John surgery in June.

Fresh off a strong finish to the 2025 campaign, Arizona could look to keep the momentum going into the offseason by making a big free agency splash.