The New York Mets are once again pushed to a crossroads, not due to injury alone, but because of difficult roster decisions looming.
Francisco Alvarez, the once-promising young catcher hailed for his resilience and raw power, now finds himself on uncertain ground.
Meanwhile, Edwin Díaz, the $102 million closer and one of the team’s most reliable arms, remains untouchable, as the Mets’ front office navigates a delicate balance between present success and future stability.
Alvarez’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster marked by perseverance amid setbacks. He has struggled through a broken pinkie, a right thumb injury that required surgery, and a fractured hamate bone. These injuries have undoubtedly impacted both his offensive production and defensive reliability.
Alvarez’s decline raises trade questions
When sent down to Triple-A Syracuse, Alvarez hit a solid .270 with 11 home runs and 24 RBIs in just 21 games, showing glimpses of the potential that initially made him a top prospect.
However, at the major league level earlier in the season, his numbers were less consistent, with a batting average near .236 and three home runs in 35 games.
Defensively, Alvarez’s once-promising pitch framing skills have notably declined, registering negative metrics for the first time in his young career. This decline has raised concerns among the Mets’ brass about his long-term development.
In sharp contrast, Edwin Díaz has been a beacon of stability.
The closer has returned from previous injuries to dominate once again, boasting an ERA hovering around 1.87, over 80 strikeouts, and a WHIP below 1.00 in the 2025 season. He has recorded between 25 and 26 saves, consistently shutting down opponents in high-pressure moments.
Díaz’s deal, a five-year contract worth $102 million signed before the 2023 season, includes an opt-out clause that could see him testing free agency after 2025.
This looming decision places the Mets in a challenging position: must they offer a lucrative extension to retain him or risk losing one of the best closers in the game?
Tradeable Alvarez vs. protected Diaz: A Mets dilemma
The Mets’ front office faces a complex decision. Trading Francisco Alvarez now, while his value is still considerable, could bring in leadership and depth to a roster craving stability.
Conversely, keeping Alvarez and investing in his development might pay dividends if he returns to the form that made him one of baseball’s brightest young stars.
David Stearns, the Mets’ general manager, recently demoted Alvarez, emphasizing that it is part of a long-term plan rather than a reactionary move. Still, fans worry this could stall Alvarez’s progress and cloud his future with the organization.
On the other hand, Edwin Díaz remains the backbone of the Mets’ bullpen but comes with a hefty price tag.
His elite performance has made him indispensable, but his contract’s size and opt-out clause mean the Mets must weigh the cost of retaining him carefully. Losing Díaz would be a major blow to the team’s playoff hopes, while keeping him could strain the payroll and complicate future moves.
In New York, nothing about managing a star-studded roster is ever simple. Balancing the development of a young catcher with the retention of a premier closer exemplifies the fragile tightrope the Mets walk each season.
Fans understand the pattern well: chaos and drama often precede success, but the stakes are higher than ever. For Alvarez, the road ahead is uncertain, while for Díaz, the question is how much the Mets are willing to invest, both financially and strategically, to keep their star closer in Queens.
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