Before the 2023 season, the New York Mets locked up their dominant closer Edwin Diaz with a five-year, $102 million contract. The deal was historic for a reliever, reflecting just how electrifying Diaz had been on the mound. But within the fine print lies an interesting wrinkle: an opt-out clause following the 2025 season. This small detail could turn into a major storyline depending on how things unfold.
The Power and Risk of Opt-Outs
We’ve seen this play out before in Major League Baseball. Some players masterfully use opt-outs as a bargaining chip, leveraging strong seasons into even bigger paydays.