ORLANDO, FL—While Day Two of the annual Major League Baseball Winter Meetings was a dud, Day Three has blown the door off with two massive free agent signings, including one by the defending back-to-back champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Dodgers have agreed to a multi-year deal with All-Star right-handed closer Edwin Díaz. The deal comes mere minutes after a report by Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post stated the Dodgers’ interest in Díaz.
Díaz is widely recognized as one of the most dominant relievers in the game and has maintained this status for several years. He re-entered the open market this winter after declining the final two years of his record-breaking five-year, $102 million contract with the Mets, which he signed during his last free agency.
Having spent the past seven seasons with the Mets in Queens, he initially struggled in his first year but has since posted an impressive overall ERA of 2.36 (SIERA of 2.12, FIP of 2.15), along with a remarkable 40.8% strikeout rate and an 8.9% walk rate. Over his tenure with the Mets, Díaz has accumulated 144 saves across 332 appearances.
Díaz is approaching his 32nd season and had an impressive 2025 campaign, pitching 66.1 innings with a 1.63 ERA, a strikeout rate of 38%, and a walk rate of 8.1%.
The deal reportedly involves a 3-year, $69 million contract, establishing a record for the highest AAV for relief pitchers at $23 million annually. This surpasses what Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers front office have typically been willing to offer bullpen arms in the past.
By signing Díaz, the Dodgers acquire a major right-handed reliever and a definitive closer. Tanner Scott was anticipated to assume this role last season but faced considerable challenges in his first year with the team.
The Dodgers are optimistic about Scott bouncing back in 2026, but by signing Díaz now, they have insurance to close out games.
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