With Major League Baseball’s free agency period just days away, news is already starting to break across the league about key contract decisions.

Before free agency officially opens, players and teams alike must determine whether to exercise their contract options. Players with player options can opt in and remain under contract, or opt out and test the open market. Teams, meanwhile, face their own decisions with club options — if they decline, those players also become free agents.

Early reports on some of the league’s top closers could indirectly help the Chicago White Sox this winter.

According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz plans to opt out of his deal. Díaz still had up to three years remaining, including salaries north of $15 million in 2026 and 2027 and a $17.25 million club option for 2028.

Meanwhile, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports that San Diego Padres closer Robert Suárez will also opt out. Suárez was owed $16 million over the next two seasons, but after leading the National League with 40 saves in 2025, he’s decided to cash in on his best season yet.

It makes perfect sense for both pitchers — and it could quietly work in the White Sox’s favor.

While the Sox aren’t expected to pursue Díaz or Suárez directly, their decisions to hit the open market make this year’s free-agent closer pool much deeper. That could help Chicago land a quality closer on a shorter, more affordable deal.

Here’s a look at some of the notable names now available:

• Edwin Díaz
• Robert Suárez
• Raisel Iglesias
• Kenley Jansen
• Ryan Helsley
• Devin Williams
• Emilio Pagán
• Jordan Romano
• Kirby Yates
• Kyle Finnegan

That’s 10 relievers with recent closing experience — many of whom have logged 30-plus saves or made All-Star appearances within the past few seasons.

There might not even be 10 teams in the market for a full-time closer this offseason, which gives the White Sox an opening. With Díaz and Suárez drawing attention (and big-money offers) from contenders, Chris Getz and company could quietly swoop in and grab a “value closer” on a one- or two-year deal without facing much competition.

The more closers available, the better. And as of today, the free-agent landscape just got a whole lot better for the Chicago White Sox.

MLB free agency officially opens at 5 p.m. ET on November 6, 2025.