Edwin Díaz, the electric closer who has dominated hitters with his high-velocity arsenal, has agreed to a three-year, $69 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This record-breaking deal for a reliever marks the end of Díaz’s tenure with the New York Mets, where he established himself as one of the game’s premier closers.
Velocity and Viciousness: Díaz’s Lethal Pitching Arsenal
Díaz’s success on the mound is rooted in his overpowering stuff. With a sidearm delivery, he unleashes a four-seam fastball that averages a blistering 97.7 mph, complemented by a wipeout slider at 89.4 mph and a deceptive changeup at 91.7 mph. This potent mix of velocity and movement has enabled Díaz to rack up an impressive 14.7 strikeouts per nine innings throughout his career. His ability to miss bats at an elite rate, allowing just 36 hits in 2025, has made him a nightmare for opposing hitters. ‘Getting a high-leverage reliever is never a bad thing,’ manager Dave Roberts told reporters Monday at the MLB winter meetings in Orlando, Florida. “Jeff Passan and Jorge Castillo”
Addressing the Bullpen Woes: Dodgers’ Gamble on Díaz
The Dodgers’ decision to invest heavily in Díaz stems from their bullpen struggles in the 2025 season. Their relievers combined for a 4.27 ERA and blew 27 saves, tied for the seventh-most in the majors. The Dodgers believe that Díaz’s addition, who allowed just 14 earned runs over 63.3 frames last year, will solidify their ninth-inning role and provide a much-needed boost to their bullpen.
Solidifying the Ninth: Díaz’s Impact on the Dodgers’ Bullpen
With Díaz now anchoring the back end of the bullpen, the Dodgers have assembled a formidable relief corps. Tanner Scott, who recorded 184 decisions with a 3.21 ERA in 2025, is expected to serve as Díaz’s primary setup man, while the team also boasts a deep pool of talented relievers, including Alex Vesia (243 decisions, 3.68 ERA), Blake Treinen (114 decisions, 6.67 ERA), Anthony Banda (191 decisions, 4.64 ERA), and Brusdar Graterol, who is recovering from shoulder surgery that limited him to 8.5 innings in 2024. This depth and quality in the bullpen should provide the Dodgers with a significant advantage in high-leverage situations.
Mets’ Contingency Plan: Devin Williams Brought in to Fill the Void
While the Mets will undoubtedly miss Díaz’s dominance, they have taken steps to mitigate his departure by signing Devin Williams to a three-year, $51 million deal. Williams, a former Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Star, brings his own brand of electric stuff to the Mets’ bullpen after posting 201 decisions with a 4.95 ERA and 94 strikeouts over 61.8 innings in 2025. However, Díaz’s tenure with the Mets was marked by inconsistency, with seasons of brilliance offset by campaigns plagued by high ERAs and blown saves. His absence will leave a void in the Mets’ bullpen, but Williams’ arrival provides a measure of stability.
The Díaz Dilemma: Mets’ Closer Departs for Record-Breaking Deal
Díaz’s departure from the Mets and his record-breaking deal with the Dodgers represent a significant shift in the landscape of Major League Baseball’s relief pitching market. Since his debut in 2016, Díaz has amassed 253 career saves, tied for second-most during that span with Raisel Iglesias’ 253 saves, trailing only Kenley Jansen’s 334 saves. His ability to consistently shut down opponents in the ninth inning, allowing just 4 home runs in 63.3 innings pitched last season, has made him one of the most valuable commodities in the game, and the Dodgers have made a bold move to secure his services for the foreseeable future.
