Hold onto your hats, baseball fans, because the Los Angeles Dodgers just made a move that’s shaking up the MLB world! Edwin Díaz, one of the most dominant closers in the game, has inked a 3-year, $69 million deal with the Dodgers, according to league sources. But here’s where it gets controversial—this deal sets a new record for the highest average annual value for a reliever, surpassing Díaz’s own previous record from his 2022 contract with the Mets. Is this a game-changer for the Dodgers, or are they overpaying for a reliever? Let’s dive in.
The Athletic is all over the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/mlb-winter-meetings-live-updates/jleRAxQYkiEX/), and this signing is undoubtedly one of the biggest headlines. Díaz, a three-time All-Star, is coming off a strong 2025 season, proving he’s still at the top of his game after rebounding from a freak knee injury during the 2023 World Baseball Classic (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4315098/2023/03/16/mets-edwin-diaz-injured-wbc/). With a blazing fastball and a slider that’s nothing short of devastating, he’s struck out nearly 40% of batters faced throughout his career. And this is the part most people miss—Díaz has consistently posted an ERA below 2.00 in four different seasons, making him a reliable arm in high-pressure situations.
But why did Díaz opt out of his previous deal with the Mets? Well, despite signing a five-year, $102.5 million contract after the 2022 season, deferrals reduced its present-day value to below $95 million. With two years left on that deal, he decided to test the market again—and the Dodgers were more than willing to open their wallets. The Athletic’s Big Board (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6778310/2025/11/06/mlb-top-50-free-agents-2025-2026-kyle-tucker/) ranked Díaz 11th among free agents, projecting him to sign a four-year, $84 million deal (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6774254/2025/11/04/mlb-free-agent-contract-projections/). So, did the Dodgers get a bargain, or did they overcommit?
Díaz’s journey to this point is worth noting. After debuting with the Seattle Mariners in 2016 and saving a staggering 57 games in 2018, he was traded to the Mets ahead of the 2019 season. His time in New York had its ups and downs, but he ultimately proved he could thrive in a high-pressure, big-market environment. Now, he’s bringing that experience to Los Angeles, where the Dodgers are clearly doubling down on their bullpen.
Speaking of the bullpen, the Dodgers have been on a relief pitcher shopping spree this winter. They pursued Raisel Iglesias, Ryan Helsley, and Devin Williams before those players signed elsewhere. As of this week, they’re still eyeing Robert Suarez to further strengthen their bullpen, which already includes Tanner Scott, signed last offseason to a four-year, $72 million deal. Despite Scott’s struggles in 2025 (4.74 ERA in 61 appearances), the Dodgers publicly supported him—though their pursuit of Díaz suggests they’re not taking any chances.
As Dodgers manager Dave Roberts put it on Monday, ‘Getting a high-leverage reliever is never a bad thing.’ But is Díaz the missing piece for a World Series run, or are the Dodgers setting themselves up for a bullpen overload? Let us know what you think in the comments. Is this signing a slam dunk, or are the Dodgers paying too much for a reliever? The debate is on!
