The Los Angeles Dodgers received the perfect nearer on the free agent market Tuesday, reaching a three-year, $69 million cope with former New York Mets reliever Edwin Diaz, sources instructed ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Jorge Castillo on Tuesday.
The deal by the Dodgers, who had been focusing on bullpen assist this winter, set a mean annual worth document for a aid pitcher.
The Mets’ remaining supply to Diaz was for lower than the $69 million he obtained from the Dodgers, in accordance with sources.
Diaz, a three-time All-Star, logged a 1.63 ERA and transformed 28 of 31 save probabilities for the Mets final season. With an elite mixture of a high-velocity fastball and cruel slider, Diaz, 31, has posted excessive strikeout charges all through his profession. In 2025, Diaz struck out 98 in 66⅓ innings whereas strolling simply 14 batters.
The Dodgers went into the offseason with a transparent want within the again finish of the bullpen after their relievers mixed for a 4.27 ERA and blew 27 saves, tied for the seventh most within the majors. The state of their bullpen was so unhealthy heading into October that the Dodgers used their starting-pitching depth to complement it, transitioning Roki Sasaki to nearer whereas utilizing the likes of Emmet Sheehan, Justin Wrobleski and, at instances, Tyler Glasnow in aid roles.
Diaz now solidifies the ninth inning, with Tanner Scott, who the Dodgers hope will bounce again from a disastrous first season in L.A., lined up as his setup man. The likes of Alex Vesia, Blake Treinen, Anthony Banda and Brusdar Graterol, the latter of whom is getting back from shoulder surgical procedure, headline what the group believes to be a deep crop of relievers.
“Getting a high-leverage reliever isn’t a nasty factor,” supervisor Dave Roberts instructed reporters Monday on the MLB winter conferences in Orlando, Florida.
Now that their largest want has been addressed, the Dodgers are anticipated to focus on an outfielder, seemingly through commerce.
Diaz opted out of the two-year, $38 million assure that remained on the five-year deal he signed to stay with the Mets in 2022. The contract was thought of a uncommon five-year dedication to a aid pitcher, nevertheless it ended after three seasons as soon as he determined to check the open market.
Diaz was tendered a $22.025 million qualifying supply by the Mets, which he declined by the Nov. 18 deadline. As a result of he signed with a brand new group, New York will obtain a compensatory draft decide after the fourth spherical.
The Mets on Dec. 1 signed Devin Williams to a three-year, $51 million deal as an insurance coverage coverage ought to Diaz go elsewhere.
Diaz’s time with the Mets was marked by wild year-to-year swings. He posted an ERA underneath 2.00 thrice however in different years was at 3.45 or worse, blowing six saves or extra in every of these three campaigns.
Diaz missed the 2023 season altogether after struggling a severe knee damage whereas celebrating a save in that 12 months’s World Baseball Traditional. The Mets acquired him in 2018 as a part of a seven-player commerce with the Seattle Mariners.
His 253 profession saves since getting into the majors in 2016 are tied with Raisel Iglesias for second — behind Kenley Jansen (334) throughout that span, in accordance with ESPN Analysis.
ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle and Alden Gonzalez contributed to this report.
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