The world of Major League Baseball endured seismic ripples Tuesday morning — as star closer Edwin Diaz reportedly agreed to a multi-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Los Angeles had been long rumored to be a team in search of bullpen reinforcements. Diaz was always seen as a guy that would want a five-year deal perhaps north of $100 million.
As fate would have it, the two parties reportedly agreed to a three-year deal worth $69 million. It’s the type of contract the Dodgers prefer where the player gets a higher AAV in exchange for less of a time commitment from a years standpoint.
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More details have come out as it pertains to the mechanics of the deal itself. Joel Sherman reported that there are minor deferrals involved. Diaz is slated to make $23 million annually — though that will now become just a shade under $19 million.
Though the Dodgers have some reputation for being the only team extensively using deferrals (largely based on Shohei Ohtani’s contract), this is not a new tactic. Teams all across the sport have used — and continue to utilize — deferrals.
Ironically, the Mets reported offer for Diaz according to Sherman also involved deferrals. Deferrals were also reportedly present in the $210 million contract pitcher Dylan Cease agreed to with the Toronto Blue Jays.
With Diaz now in tow, the Dodgers have solidified the backend of their bullpen. He’s undoubtedly among the premier relievers in the sport. The move should enable Tanner Scott to revert back to a more comfortable spot as a high-leverage setup man. This was predominantly the role Scott played with the San Diego Padres.
At the very least, the Dodgers now have enough flexibility and versatility from the left and right side to stagger their relievers accordingly based on what the opposition brings to the plate in any given situation.
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Photo Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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