The Los Angeles Dodgers made a splash at the Winter Meetings, shocking both fans and rival teams by signing All-Star closer Edwin Díaz to a three-year, $69 million deal—setting a record for average annual salary for a relief pitcher at $23 million. The move immediately addresses a long-standing weakness in Los Angeles’ bullpen and has positioned the back-to-back World Series champions as one of the offseason’s clear winners.
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Dodgers Seize the Closer They Wanted
Díaz, 31, passed on a five-year offer from the Atlanta Braves in favor of joining a team consistently favored to contend for the World Series. Jon Heyman of the New York Post summed it up: “Baseball’s best, most star-studded team surprised itself by stealing baseball’s best closer (Díaz), thus shoring up its one weakness.”
The Winter Meetings had been quiet for New York teams, until the Dodgers swooped in, signing Díaz away from the Mets. The Mets’ offer stood at three years, $66 million, slightly behind Los Angeles’ record-setting deal. Mike Puma of the New York Post reflected on the surprising twist: “I always figured that the Mets would come back with the best offer here. Díaz has been such a big part of this bullpen since he got here. At some point, a line appears to have been drawn, and the Mets didn’t have the best offer.”
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Díaz Brings Proven Dominance
Díaz has been a model of consistency since debuting in 2016. In 2025, he posted a 1.63 ERA through 62 appearances, struck out 98 batters across 66.1 innings, and saved 28 games in 31 opportunities, earning his third All-Star nod. His presence immediately strengthens a Dodgers bullpen that struggled last September, finishing with the sixth-worst ERA in MLB.
Carlos Beltrán, Puerto Rico’s manager and former Mets star, weighed in on Díaz’s decision and durability: “He went through a crazy injury years ago, so he has proven that he’s healthy since then. In his heart, I know that he wants to play.” Beltrán praised Díaz’s preparation and leadership, noting, “There’s no doubt that some of the Mets fans probably are a little down right now. And as a Dodger fan, you gotta feel good about adding a guy like that, that you know you can count on in the ninth inning.”
Offseason Outlook for the Dodgers
While Díaz fills a critical gap, the Dodgers still have a few areas to monitor. Their only clear weakness is in the outfield following last season’s Michael Conforto experiment, and additional moves in trades or free agency could further fortify the defending champions. For now, however, Los Angeles has ensured that the ninth inning will no longer be a vulnerability.