The Los Angeles Dodgers and right-handed reliever Edwin Diaz have agreed to a deal, per The Athletic’s Will Sammon.
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Diaz’s deal with the Dodgers is for three-years and $69 million, according to MLB insider Jeff Passan. The right-hander recorded 28 saves last year with the New York Mets. He also had a jaw-dropping 38 percent strikeout rate and 18 percent swinging strike rate.
In 2025, Diaz sported a 1.63 ERA with 98 strikeouts across 66.1 innings of work.
The defending champions have their closer, securing the best available bullpen talent on the market.
The Dodgers had been eerily quiet early in the offseason, a stark contrast from the previous two winters where they signed Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million and Shohei Ohtani inked his 10-year, $700 million contract.
There was uncertainty the Dodgers would sign a top free agent closer, given their preference to keep any deal short-term.
However, LA’s front office has officially addressed the Dodgers’ bullpen struggles from 2025 with the arrival of Diaz, who gives the Dodgers security in the ninth inning.
Last winter, the Dodgers signed Tanner Scott to a four-year, $72 million deal. The Scott and Diaz deals signal LA’s commitment to landing the top closer on the market, a $141 million commitment to be exact.
There was speculation the Dodgers would make a big move during the Winter Meetings, and LA did just that Tuesday morning.
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Photo Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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14 Responses
YES!!!! WE GOT HIM!!!!
Nice! Skubal is next!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amen. We can hope Tanner Scott has a much better year in 2026, but with Diaz we now have a ninth inning lights out lockdown closer. If we can find that left fielder, this will have been an awesome offseason. Thank you Dodgers and am seriously looking forward to the 2026 season. And I do look forward to River Ryan coming back from TJ surgery as he was a stud pitcher before his injury.
Dodgers have Teo who can be moved to LF depending upon the outfielder Dodgers may aquire. DOC has said “right now Teo is our RF”
But could change for defensive reasons .
Another Tanner Scott??
I doubt it. That was an outlier year for Tanner Scott, and a Diaz/Scott duo with him back in All-Star form would be scary.
Give the Dodgers tons of credit, they are spending money.
Great article/read
The Mets reportedly offered Diaz a three-year, $66 million with some “wiggle room to go higher.” Speaks volumes on the Dodgers as an organization and their winning ways.
And by signing Williams, that may have been the wrong message to send to Diaz. Thanks to Cohen for making yet another FA blunder. Said it before, he’s the Dan Snyder of MLB. An owner who thinks he knows how to construct a team better than the experts yet continues to have no idea. Keep it up, Cohen.
This means several more wins during the regular season (many fewer blown saves than in 2025) and less need to use starting pitchers in relief in the post season. And it probably makes everyone in the bullpen better. Diaz, Scott, Treinen, Vesia, Dreyer, Banda, Will Klein, Edgardo Henriquez, Graterol, River Ryan, Gavin Stone, Kyle Hurt, possibly Kopech, possibly Evan Phillips in September. And the equivalent of Dreyer – someone we don’t know about yet who makes it unexpectedly.
I Think It’s Great The Dodgers Finally Signed A Lights Out Closer, Now Sign Bellinger Back Which Would Both Stabilize Our Outfield With Cody In Center Teo Back In Left And Pages In Right With Cody Spelling Freddy At First Now And Then. If They Could Get Bichette For Second Base Our Lineup Would Be Truly Scary,
I’m A 70 Year Old Life Long Dodger Fan But I Will Say It’s Ridiculous That Don Mattingly Isn’t In The Hall Of Fame. Just Saying As A Baseball Fan Hate On Me If You Want.
Excellent accomplishment.
Now, go get former player Cody Bellinger. He can play all outfield positions, plus is a very good first baseman. His stats last few years are good bat wise and Cody could Surprise with stellar years upcoming as he Returns to Prove himself.
Cost won’t Break the Bank.
Let’s bring in superstar Nolan Arenado
He will contribute not only to the third base but also to the batting lineup
The Cardinals will pay you a salary, so you’ll just have to negotiate well