Dodgers' Andrew Friedman pours cold water on $400M World Series champion after Edwin Diaz signing

Hunter Cookston

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Dodgers' Andrew Friedman pours cold water on $400M World Series champion after Edwin Diaz signing image

The Los Angeles Dodgers made a major free-agency splash on Tuesday when they acquired top reliever Edwin Diaz. This move wasn’t widely expected from the Dodgers, but they were able to get the deal finalized.

“The Los Angeles Dodgers got the best closer on the free agent market Tuesday, reaching a three-year, $69 million deal with former New York Mets reliever Edwin Diaz, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan and Jorge Castillo on Tuesday,” ESPN wrote.

Diaz chose to join the Dodgers after the New York Mets signed Devin Williams last week. That signing apparently created a bump in the road to bringing Diaz back.

“New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns acknowledged the team's signing of Devin Williams earlier this month impacted its pursuit of incumbent All-Star closer Edwin Diaz, who agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday,” ESPN’s Jorge Castillo wrote.

With that big name now off the board for LA, the next major focus is none other than top fielding free agent Kyle Tucker. It’s very clear Tucker will not be returning to Chicago, but he will certainly be joining a contender. However, with a potential lockout after next season and possible cap changes, he doesn’t want to make a risky decision. Dodgers executive Andrew Friedman addressed those concerns at the Winter Meetings, and he may have thrown cold water on the idea of signing Tucker.

“I would say we definitely can. How likely is it? That's another question,” Friedman told the media.

After consecutive offseasons of the Dodgers acquiring big-name players, it appears they may take a more conservative approach this winter. Even with a quieter offseason, they remain a dangerous team capable of winning three straight.

As for Tucker, he has already visited the Blue Jays, and plenty of other contenders are in pursuit. Given what could unfold next offseason, staying away from Tucker and other big names might be the safest decision for the Dodgers.

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Contributing writer

Contributing Writer