Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Dodgers Finalize Three-Year, $69 Million Deal With Closer Edwin Díaz

Díaz says he chose Los Angeles for its winning culture.

Overview

  • The contract averages $23 million per year, establishing a new benchmark for reliever salaries.
  • Introduced Friday in Los Angeles, Díaz is expected to handle the ninth inning and will wear No. 3.
  • The signing follows a turbulent 2025 for the Dodgers’ bullpen, which posted a 4.27 ERA over an MLB-high workload as Tanner Scott struggled and was hurt before the playoffs.
  • The 31-year-old enters 2026 with 253 career saves, a 2.82 ERA and 839 strikeouts in 519 1/3 innings across stints with the Mariners and Mets.
  • Díaz consulted his brother Alexis before deciding, while Mets president David Stearns defended the club’s direction and ex-GM Jim Duquette criticized New York for not retaining him as analysts flagged Díaz’s volatility risk.