ORLANDO, Fla. — For a brief moment, there was a belief across the industry that the Los Angeles Dodgers might lie low at the MLB Winter Meetings. That theory didn’t survive Tuesday. Because when the reigning World Series champions decide to move, they don’t tap the table — they flip it.
The Dodgers made their first seismic strike of the offseason by reportedly agreeing to terms with All-Star closer Edwin Díaz on a three-year, $69 million contract, a deal that carries a staggering $23 million average annual value, the highest ever for a relief pitcher. It wasn’t subtle. It wasn’t cautious. It was a declaration.
Díaz arrives in Los Angeles with credentials that need no embellishment. For the better part of five years, he has lived in the conversation of baseball’s most dominant relievers. His 2025 season with the New York Mets only reinforced that reputation: a scorching 1.63 ERA, 98 strikeouts, and 28 saves, powered by late-inning electricity few pitchers can replicate. When the ninth inning matters most, Díaz changes games — and now, he’ll do it in Dodger blue.
This move closes a chapter that has lingered since Kenley Jansen’s departure in 2022. Since then, the Dodgers have searched relentlessly for a true shutdown closer, cycling through options like Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, Blake Treinen, Daniel Hudson, and even Craig Kimbrel. The results were serviceable, sometimes brilliant, but never permanent.
Last offseason, Los Angeles believed it had found the long-term answer in Tanner Scott, signing the left-hander to a four-year, $72 million deal. That plan unraveled quickly. Scott struggled mightily in 2025, posting a 4.74 ERA across 61 appearances before injuries cut his season short. In a twist that felt uniquely Dodgers, the bullpen gap was temporarily bridged by rookie phenom Roki Sasaki, who handled closing duties during another championship run.
But temporary solutions don’t satisfy dynasties.
With confidence in Scott gone, the Dodgers re-entered the market — this time with precision and purpose. The result was a record-setting agreement with the top reliever available, a move that addressed the one remaining weakness on an otherwise terrifying roster.
While the Dodgers landing a superstar is rarely shocking, where Díaz landed absolutely was. Around the league, the expectation was that Díaz would return to the Mets. He was beloved in that clubhouse, productive on the mound, and seemingly part of the team’s short-term plan. The Mets even signed Devin Williams last week, with the belief that Williams would set the table for Díaz in the eighth inning.
Instead, Díaz is gone — and New York is scrambling.
The Mets now face a sudden pivot point. Williams could be elevated into the closer role, or the front office may turn its attention to Robert Suárez, the next-best reliever still on the market. According to sources, Suárez and his camp were waiting on Díaz’s decision before moving forward. With that domino fallen, expect Suárez’s market — and the market for former Rays reliever Pete Fairbanks — to accelerate rapidly.
The ripple effects are already being felt.
For the Dodgers, however, the equation is simple. Even before Díaz’s arrival, it was difficult to poke holes in a roster built for October. The lineup is deep. The rotation is loaded. The bench is versatile. The bullpen, though effective, lacked a single, undisputed hammer for the ninth inning.
Now, that problem is gone.
This signing isn’t just about protecting late leads in June. It’s about October leverage, about walking into a postseason series knowing that if the Dodgers lead after eight, the game is over. It’s about removing doubt — for opponents and for themselves.
And it’s about intent.
The Dodgers are no longer chasing a repeat. They’re openly aiming for a three-peat. This deal sends a clear message to the rest of the league: the champions aren’t satisfied, and they aren’t slowing down.
Díaz understands that responsibility. In his first remarks after the agreement, he struck a tone that matched the moment.
“I’m truly happy to be a part of the Dodgers organization,” Díaz said. “This is a new home for me, and I don’t take that lightly. I’ll give everything I have — every drop of sweat, every ounce of effort — to help this team win and to honor the trust they’ve placed in me.”
Trust. That’s the word that defines this deal.
The Dodgers trusted Díaz with a record contract. Díaz trusted the Dodgers with his prime years. And now, baseball’s most complete team just became even more dangerous.
The Winter Meetings thought Los Angeles might stay quiet.
Instead, the Dodgers spoke loudest of all.
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