NEW YORK -- Statistically speaking, Edwin Díaz was probably the best reliever in the National League this year, which makes the idea of replacing him difficult. Much like the notion of moving on from Pete Alonso at first base , it would be near-impossible to supplant Díaz at closer and wind up better at the position. He’s that good.

But president of baseball operations David Stearns is in the business of paying for future value, not past performance, which makes Díaz’s return ambiguous. Assuming the closer opts out of the final two years and $38 million guaranteed on his contract, the realistic options to replace him look a little something like this:

Free agency

Aside from Díaz, three impending free agents finished this season as their team’s primary closer: Robert Suarez of the Pa

See Full Page