The Philadelphia Phillies got their big free agent in slugger Kyle Schwarber, getting him taken care of relatively early during the offseason. The rest of MLB is still making their rounds as the 2025 Winter Meetings come to a close, and it didn't go without its drama.
The New York Mets let their star closer Edwin Díaz walk in free agency after he opted out of his contract after the 2025 season. In the meantime, the Mets picked up free agent closer Devin Williams on a three-year deal.
Even with that signing, the Mets were still confident in Díaz's return. That confidence wilted quickly as he signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The deal made Díaz the highest-paid reliever annually in MLB history at $23 million and made for a pretty hilarious cover for the New York Post.
New York Post cover after Edwin Díaz flees will have Phillies fans in tears of laughter
Díaz was a staple in Queens, but he now finds himself on an opposing NL club. The signing inspired some humor for the division rival Phillies as well.
When coming in for a save opportunity, Díaz walks out to the song “Narco” by Blasterjaxx and Timmy Trumpet. The trumpet was a signature part of the experience for the fan base, but now that tradition is getting ripped out of New York and relocated to Los Angeles. After the Mets lost out in the Díaz sweepstakes, the music has indeed died.
The back page: THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) December 9, 2025
Sounds of silence at Citi as Mets lose beloved Diaz to Dodgers for extra $3M
Read more: https://t.co/c6K9GMwrON pic.twitter.com/zCEXc9td5F
What's even funnier is the Mets actually offered a similar deal to Díaz before his final decision. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets offered a three-year, $66 million contract with modest deferrals, just $3 million less than what the Dodgers offered. There was also room to negotiate higher, if needed.
Either way, Díaz felt the better decision was to sign with the Dodgers and leave the Mets hanging.
Díaz had a tremendous year in 2025, posting a .1.63 ERA with 28 saves and 98 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings. He was a weapon in the NL East, but the misery just keeps mounting for a hungry Mets team.
It's also worth noting their other big free agent, first baseman Pete Alonso, went and signed a deal with the Baltimore Orioles the following day. The deal makes the Phillies' division chances much better.
The Phillies know how important it is to keep "their guys," and that's what they successfully accomplished in re-signing Schwarber. The Mets are doing quite the opposite right now with not being able to hold onto anyone, and they're going to have to pay for it with Díaz off the team.