The Los Angeles Dodgers are making big moves this winter. They just signed Edwin Díaz, the top closer in baseball, to a three-year deal worth $69 million. This makes an average of $23 million a year, breaking the record Díaz set with his previous contract.
Díaz is a three-time All-Star and has been a standout closer since he started with the Seattle Mariners in 2016. His best season came in 2018 when he saved 57 games. After a shaky start with the New York Mets, he proved he could handle the pressure of a big market.
His pitching is impressive. Díaz throws a fastball in the high 90s and has a slider that can fool almost any batter. He boasts a career strikeout rate of nearly 40%. In his career, he has maintained an ERA below 2.00 four times and performed well in the postseason.
Despite a freak knee injury during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Díaz bounced back and had a strong performance in 2024, looking more like his usual self in 2025.
The Dodgers have been active in seeking relief pitchers this off-season. They had talks with several players, including Raisel Iglesias and Ryan Helsley, but chose to sign Díaz instead. They recently added Tanner Scott, and even though Scott had a 4.74 ERA in 2025, the team is determined to improve.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence in their strategy. He said, “Getting a high-leverage reliever is never a bad thing.” This reflects the team’s commitment to building a strong bullpen.
In recent surveys, 67% of fans believe strong bullpens are crucial for championship teams. This underscores the importance of moves like the Díaz signing. As teams continue to push for the playoffs, having top relief pitchers could be the difference between winning and losing.
For more insights into player contracts and MLB trends, check out this report from ESPN.
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Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, MLB
