The Yankees could look to the crosstown rival Mets to reinforce their bullpen, prompting them to steal Edwin Diaz in free agency. He is one of the best closers in baseball, and pairing him with David Bednar would be electric. Additionally, the team boasts a phenomenal starting rotation on paper heading into 2026. Let’s take a look at all of the news from over the weekend.
The Yankees could form an elite closer duo by pillaging the Mets
The Yankees are evaluating ways to reshape their bullpen after last season’s mixed results, and interest has emerged in former Mets closer Edwin Díaz.
New York experimented with a shared high-leverage setup between David Bednar and Devin Williams in 2025, but Williams struggled with a 4.79 ERA over 62 innings, leading to inconsistency that pushed the team to seek more reliable late-inning options. Bednar, acquired at the deadline, became a stabilizing force with a 2.19 ERA and 12.77 strikeouts per nine, quickly establishing himself as one of the most trusted arms on the staff.
Díaz represents the kind of proven closer who could elevate the bullpen further. He delivered a dominant 1.63 ERA and 13.30 strikeouts per nine across 66.1 innings in 2025, showing improved command and regaining the sharp slider that made him one of baseball’s most feared ninth-inning pitchers. His experience handling New York’s pressure adds to the appeal, and he is seeking a four-year deal worth about $82 million.
Pairing Díaz with Bednar would give the Yankees a true lockdown duo capable of shortening games and providing the kind of late-inning advantage few contenders possess. With rotation uncertainty heading into 2026, strengthening the bullpen could become a key part of the team’s competitive blueprint.
