Edwin Díaz’s 2025 season wasn’t just strong — it was historically dominant. Pitching for the New York Mets, Díaz recorded 28 saves with a minuscule 1.63 ERA over 66⅓ innings, striking out 98 batters en route to being named the National League Reliever of the Year for the third time in his career.
According to the official MLB awards records, the Reliever of the Year award — presented annually to the top relief pitcher in each league — is one of baseball’s most respected honors for bullpen arms. Only a handful of elite closers in the modern era have ever achieved multiple such wins.
With this latest accolade, Díaz joins a rare elite group of pitchers who have earned the award three times, cementing his status among the most dominant relievers of his generation and one of the very best bullpen pitchers in MLB history.
Díaz’s path to this achievement hasn’t been entirely smooth, but it’s been remarkable. The 31-year‑old right‑hander first entered the spotlight with the Seattle Mariners, exploding onto the scene in 2018 with a staggering 57‑save season that earned him his first Reliever of the Year honor.
After being traded to the Mets prior to the 2019 season, Díaz quickly became one of their most electrifying players, known for his high‑velocity fastball, devastating breaking stuff, and iconic bullpen entrance music that rallied crowds at Citi Field.
However, his career faced a setback when he suffered a torn patellar tendon during the 2023 World Baseball Classic — an injury that sidelined him for the entire season. Yet true to form, Díaz returned in 2024 and worked his way back to elite form, culminating in a spectacular 2025 campaign that saw him lead National League relievers in key performance metrics.
Three time Reliever of the Year is more than just an award; it underscores a unique blend of dominance, consistency, and resilience. In 2025 alone, Díaz’s strikeout rate and overall effectiveness placed him among the upper echelon of all big‑league relievers — not just closers.
Over his nine‑year career, he has amassed a remarkable 253 saves and 839 strikeouts, numbers that compare favorably with elite closers of past eras. His performance has drawn comparisons to all‑time greats, and his ability to take control late in games has turned countless potential losses into victories.
Along with his Reliever of the Year honors, Díaz has been selected to multiple All‑Star games and has earned the respect of peers, analysts, and fans alike. His career is now frequently discussed among the best bullpen careers of the 21st century — a testament to his impact on the game.
While much of Díaz’s success was earned in Queens as the face of the Mets’ bullpen, the moment of his third Reliever of the Year award coincides with a dramatic offseason twist: Díaz has reportedly signed a three‑year, $69 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, a powerhouse club fresh off consecutive World Series titles.
That move has only amplified fan reaction — Mets supporters are lamenting the loss of a homegrown hero, while Dodgers fans are ecstatic about adding a historically elite closer to an already dominant roster. The seismic nature of the signing, paired with Díaz’s latest accolade, makes this one of the most talked‑about bullpen narratives of the offseason.
Díaz’s journey reflects both individual brilliance and the evolving importance of relief pitching in modern baseball. Closers today often determine playoff outcomes and pennant races, and a three‑time Reliever of the Year award signals a career that changed games and defined seasons.
From his breakout 2018 season to his commanding 2025 performance, Díaz has remained a figure of excellence, inspiring teammates and striking fear into opponents. His career strikeout totals, save numbers, and award credentials position him among the most impactful relievers of his era.
Joining the Dodgers presents a fresh chapter for Díaz, who will likely serve as the anchor of a reinforced bullpen. Los Angeles, coming off consecutive World Series championships, has targeted him specifically to enhance late‑inning prowess — a strategy that could extend their dominance in coming seasons.
As for fans across baseball, Díaz’s achievement is a reminder of how relief pitchers can shape the sport’s narrative. Three Reliever of the Year trophies, career highs, and a new home with a championship contender — Edwin Díaz’s story continues to unfold, and his place in baseball history seems more assured than ever.
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