The Los Angeles Dodgers have landed a three-time All-Star closer from MLB free agency. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Dodgers have signed free-agent closer Edwin Diaz to a three-year, $69 million contract. Los Angeles gave Diaz the largest AAV for a relief pitcher in MLB history.
The former New York Mets closer opted out of the final two years and $38 million and was rewarded with an extra year and $31 million. It was previously reported that Los Angeles was unlikely to sign Diaz; however, the organization was looking for shorter contracts, and a three-year deal at a record AAV is hard to pass up.
In 2025, Diaz posted a 1.63 ERA and 0.87 WHIP with 28 saves. It wasn’t Diaz’s best year in New York, but they are still elite numbers. The 31-year-old has been rewarded as one of MLB’s best closers and joins a Dodgers team that is looking to win its third straight World Series.
The reliever market has been very active, even before the MLB Winter Meetings. Devin Williams (Mets) and Ryan Helsley (Baltimore Orioles) were the two major dominoes to fall before the week in Orlando. Now, the best team in baseball has landed one of the best closers in baseball.
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