The Los Angeles Dodgers just won their second straight World Series. They took down the Toronto Blue Jays in seven exciting games. After winning two straight championships, they are expected to be aggressive in free agency this winter.
Most of the top free agents have been linked to Los Angeles already. However, just which avenue they decide to go remains to be seen. They could choose to add bullpen help, especially on the backend with a closer. If they do, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com has them swinging big in free agency to do so.
Dodgers Linked to Mets Closer Edwin Díaz in Free Agency
The Dodgers won the World Series with Roki Sasaki as their closer in October. He could be headed back to the starting rotation in 2026. If he does, and with the struggles of Tanner Scott, that’s where Feinsand sees Edwin Díaz coming into play.
“Even after signing Tanner Scott a year ago, the Dodgers found themselves searching for an answer in the ninth inning by the end of the season,” Feinsand wrote. “Roki Sasaki filled the role through the postseason, but he’s expected to return to the rotation, leaving a vacancy in the ninth inning.
“Díaz opted out of the final two years of his record-setting, five-year, $102 million contract with the Mets, and whether or not he exceeds that with his next deal, he’s a perfect fit for a team that never hesitates to spend.”
This past season for the New York Mets, Díaz saved 28 of his 31 opportunities with a 1.63 ERA. Díaz is fourth all-time on the Mets’ all-time save list. By opting out, he is looking for a bigger payday, according to Jesse Yomtov of USA Today.
“There was consensus on Diaz’s last nine-figure contract but he’s three years older now and chasing another deal in the $85-105 million range. David Stearns would surely love to reinvest in multiple relievers as the Mets pick up the pieces following a disaster finish,” Yomtov wrote.
Dodgers Looking to Load Up For Another Run
The Dodgers won’t be the only ones looking to land Díaz. You would think that the Blue Jays would be out of the running after landing Dylan Cease of the San Diego Padres, but they’re not. They also have to try and add a bat, whether that’s bringing back Bo Bichette or someone else.
Scott blew 10 saves for the Dodgers in 2025. Kirby Yates and Blake Treinen also struggled in the closing role, which is why Sasaki was moved there in the playoffs. That is a big reason why they are exploring the closer market. Díaz makes the most sense if they are going to spend big.
Los Angeles had the perfect closer in Kenley Jansen. They moved on from him four years ago, and since then, it’s been a revolving door closing out games. It hasn’t affected them from winning back-to-back World Series titles. They are looking for stability at the backend, and Díaz would provide that. Adding a closer who won his third Reliever of the Year Award in 2025 would be a big move.
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