Los Angeles, sound the trumpets.
The two-time defending World Series champions Los Angeles Dodgers have one of the best rosters in MLB history, and now, they have acquired one of baseball's best closers. In a big offseason move, Los Angeles has reportedly agreed to terms with former New York Mets star Edwin Díaz.
The addition of the three-time All-Star, who posted a stellar 1.63 ERA and 98 strikeouts in his last full season with the Mets, immediately addresses the team's most significant — and perhaps only — vulnerability: a consistent, elite presence at the back end of the bullpen. In a crowded National League full of contenders, the acquisition sends a clear message that Los Angeles is sparing no expense in its pursuit of an unprecedented third consecutive title.
The top relief pitcher on the market joins a roster already packed with generational talent like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani. Díaz’s career strikeout rate, consistently hovering well above 14 K/9, is precisely what the team lacked in 2025, when relievers lost 33 games for the team. His arrival will allow manager Dave Roberts to confidently shorten games, moving other talented but less-consistent relievers like Evan Phillips and Blake Treinen into high-leverage set-up roles, transforming the entire relief corps from a slight concern into one of the league's deepest units.
Let's dive into what the acquisition means for the Dodgers dynasty.
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Dodgers bullpen projection
This signing transforms the conversation surrounding the 2026 season from "Can anyone challenge the Dodgers?" To "Who can possibly beat them in October?" The franchise has not only locked down an electrifying ninth-inning specialist known for his iconic entrance music and flair but has also delivered a profound psychological blow to their competitors. With the best offense in baseball, a stellar starting rotation, and now a shutdown closer, the path to the World Series will once again run directly through Los Angeles.
| Pitcher | IP (2025) | ERA (2025) | K's (2025) | WHIP (2025) |
| Edwin Díaz | 66.1 | 1.63 | 98 | 0.87 |
| Blake Treinen | 26.2 | 5.40 | 36 | 1.84 |
| Tanner Scott | 57.0 | 4.74 | 60 | 1.26 |
| Alex Vesia | 59.2 | 3.02 | 63 | 1.16 |
| Anthony Banda | 65.0 | 3.18 | 61 | 1.22 |
| Jack Dreyer | 76.1 | 2.95 | 74 | 1.05 |
| Ben Casparius | 77.2 | 4.64 | 71 | 1.27 |
| Edgardo Henriquez | 19.0 | 2.37 | 18 | 1.16 |
| Will Klein | 15.1 | 2.35 | 21 | 1.63 |
| Justin Wrobleski | 66.2 | 4.32 | 76 | 1.23 |
Edwin Diaz
Díaz is a three-time All-Star and a three-time winner of the Reliever of the Year Award, establishing himself as one of the most dominant closers of his generation. His two most exceptional seasons, where he was arguably the best closer in Major League Baseball, were 2018 with Seattle and 2022 with the Mets. In the 2018 season, he led the Majors with 57 saves, tied for the second-highest single-season total in MLB history, winning the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year Award. He repeated this elite dominance in 2022, posting a microscopic 1.31 ERA and winning the NL Reliever of the Year Award, becoming only the second pitcher ever to win both AL and NL versions of the honor.
In six seasons with the Mets, Diaz had three seasons with a sub-2.00 ERA and over 90 strikeouts. The pitcher can blow it by anyone with a 100+ MPH fastball or use his signature slider to make hitters miss. The bottom line: he's as dangerous as they come and will win Los Angeles — who lost 33 games in 2025 because of relievers — close contests.
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Blake Treinen
Treinen is in the final year of his two-year, $22 million guaranteed deal and remains one of manager Dave Roberts' most trusted arms. The veteran right-hander is a reliable, high-leverage presence known for his heavy sinker that generates massive ground-ball rates. In 2025, his 1.93 ERA and 0.943 WHIP over 46.2 innings affirmed his value as a dominant right-handed option for the 7th and 8th innings, often tasked with escaping jams left by earlier relievers.
He struggled in the postseason, especially in the ninth inning, but with Diaz in Los Angeles, Treinen can go back to lower-pressure situations.
Tanner Scott
Signed to a four-year, $72 million guaranteed contract prior to the 2025 season, Scott's elite velocity and high strikeout potential make him perfectly suited to handle the most dangerous left-handed bats and to serve as the primary 8th-inning bridge to Díaz. His 2025 performance, which was outstanding in a non-closer capacity, suggests he can dominate high-leverage situations without the final-out pressure.
Alex Vesia
The Dodgers picked up Vesia's club option for the 2026 season, securing a durable and consistent left-handed specialist. Vesia relies on a devastating slider and a high-energy delivery to rack up strikeouts. His 2025 season saw him throw 59.2 innings with a 3.02 ERA and a strong 1.16 WHIP.
Vesia was left off the Dodgers' World Series roster just before Game 1 against the Toronto Blue Jays due to a "deeply personal family matter." It was later revealed that his infant daughter, Sterling Sol, had passed away on October 26.
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Brusdar Graterol
Graterol is a flamethrowing righty whose power-sinking fastball can touch 103 MPH. Graterol is the team's quintessential "fireman," specializing in entering the game with runners on base to induce a ground ball double-play. While injuries severely limited his 2025 performance, he is expected to return as a high-velocity, high-leverage asset in 2026.
Anthony Banda
Banda is a veteran who contributes valuable left-handed middle relief volume. He can soak up innings, evidenced by his 65.0 IP in 2025. He will compete for a key spot as a long-relief option, ensuring the core arms aren't overworked.
Following up this loaded bullpen, the Dodgers have young talent in Will Klein, Justin Wroblenski and Ben Casparius, all of whom have pitched high-profile innings in the past.
Edwin Diaz contract details
Los Angeles signed Edwin Díaz to a three-year, $69 million contract, making him the highest-paid closer in MLB history by average annual value at $23 million per season.
Breaking: Edwin Díaz and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement on a deal, a source tells @jorgecastillo. The contract is for three years and $69 million, sources tell @JeffPassan.
— ESPN (@espn) December 9, 2025
The back-to-back champs are adding one of the best closers in baseball. Pic.twitter.com/JsBaCVU9D6
This move came after Díaz exercised an opt-out clause in his previous contract with the New York Mets, which would have paid him $38 million over the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Díaz declined a qualifying offer from the Mets worth $22.025 million. As a result, the Dodgers will forfeit a draft pick, and the Mets will receive a compensation draft pick after the fourth round of the 2026 MLB Draft.
Díaz, who turned 32 in March, is coming off an elite 2025 season with the Mets where he posted a 1.63 ERA and was named the Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year, confirming his return to elite form after suffering an Achilles injury in the 2023 World Baseball Classic that caused him to miss that entire season.
The best team in baseball now has one of the best closers in baseball.
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