los angeles dodgers The best closer on the free agent market was reached on Tuesday, signing the former free agent to a three-year, $69 million deal New York Mets preventive Edwin DiazSources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Jorge Castillo on Tuesday.
The deal made by the Dodgers, who were targeting bullpen help this winter, set an average annual value record for a relief pitcher.
Three-time All-Star Diaz recorded a 1.63 ERA and made 28 of 31 saves for the Mets last season. With a distinctive combination of a high-velocity fastball and a vicious slider, the 31-year-old Diaz has posted a high strikeout rate throughout his career. In 2025, Díaz struck out 98 in 66⅓ innings while walking only 14 batters.
The Dodgers went into the offseason with a clear need for the back end of the bullpen, when their relievers combined for a 4.27 ERA and 27 saves, which tied for seventh in the majors. The condition of their bullpen was so bad in October that the Dodgers used their starting-pitching depth to supplement it, making changes. roki sasaki Get closer using the likes of Emmett Sheehan, Justin Wrobleski and sometimes, tyler glasnow In relief roles.
Diaz now pitches a solid ninth inning tanner scottWho the Dodgers hope will bounce back from a disastrous first season in LA is lined up as their setup man. choice of alex vesia, blake trainin, anthony banda And Bruiser GrateroleWith one of those coming back from shoulder surgery, the organization believes it has a deep crop of relievers.
“Getting a high-leverage reliever is never a bad thing,” manager Dave Roberts told reporters at the MLB winter meetings in Orlando, Florida, on Monday.
Now that their biggest need has been addressed, the Dodgers are expected to target an outfielder, possibly via trade.
Diaz opted out of the two-year, $38 million guaranteed on the five-year deal he signed to remain with the Mets through 2022. The contract was supposed to be a rare five-year commitment for a relief pitcher, but it expired after three seasons after he decided to test the open market.
Diaz was made a qualifying offer of $22.025 million by the Mets, which he rejected by the November 18 deadline. Because he signed with a new team, New York will receive a compensatory draft pick after the fourth round.
Mets signed on December 1 devin williams to one Three-year, $51 million deal Diaz should look elsewhere as an insurance policy.
Diaz’s time with the Mets was full of ups and downs from year to year. He posted an ERA under 2.00 three times, but in the other years it was 3.45 or worse, allowing six or more saves in each of those three campaigns.
Diaz missed the entire 2023 season after suffering a serious knee injury while celebrating a save in that year’s World Baseball Classic. The Mets acquired him as part of a seven-player trade in 2018 seattle mariners,
His 253 saves are a career high since entering the majors in 2016. Raisel Iglesias to the other – back Kenley Johnson (334) during that period, according to ESPN Research.
ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle and Alden Gonzalez contributed to this report.
