By Sunday 
Let’s face it—if the New York Mets are serious about chasing a title this year, they can’t keep tiptoeing around the ninth inning. The lineup? Stacked. The rotation? Dealing. But the closer role? That’s where things get shaky.
Edwin Diaz Isn’t the Diaz of Old
It’s hard to forget the electric 2022 version of Edwin Diaz—the guy who made hitters look foolish and entered games to trumpets. But that guy hasn’t been the same since his knee injury. This season, he’s struggled to regain that dominance, and the Mets can’t keep gambling away wins while waiting for him to return to form.
That doesn’t mean cutting him loose—but help is needed. Now.
Enter Ryan Helsley: The $81 Million Answer?
In comes Ryan Helsley, the St. Louis Cardinals’ flame-throwing closer who might just be the answer to the Mets’ late-inning headaches. Spotrac projects Helsley could command $81 million in free agency, and for good reason. The 30-year-old had 49 saves last season, and he’s already off to a hot start in 2025.
Helsley isn’t just a temporary fix—he’s a postseason-caliber weapon. He’s the kind of pitcher who doesn’t just secure saves, he locks down October leads when everything’s on the line.
It’ll Cost the Mets, But It Might Be Worth It
Of course, talent like Helsley doesn’t come cheap. The Mets would have to give up a few of their top-10 prospects to make a trade like this happen. That’s a tough pill to swallow, especially for a team trying to build for the long haul.
But here’s the thing: the window is now. With the Dodgers looming large and the National League heating up, the Mets can’t afford to throw away winnable games in the final inning. A move like this could be the difference between a first-round exit and a World Series run.
A Bullpen Built for October
Pairing Helsley with Diaz could give the Mets one of the most intimidating back ends in baseball. It’s not about giving up on Diaz—it’s about setting him up for success and building a bullpen that can go toe-to-toe with L.A. in a seven-game series.
Is it bold? Absolutely. Is it risky? Sure. But in New York, big moves are the expectation—and this one could be exactly what the Mets need to finally finish what they’ve started.