The Los Angeles Dodgers are reigning back-to-back World Series champions and are expected to be aggressive this offseason.
Los Angeles’ bullpen was a major issue down the stretch and into the playoffs, as in Game 7, the Dodgers only used their starting pitchers in relief. With that, adding a high-leverage reliever makes the most sense.
MLB insider Tim Dierkes of MLBTradeRumors predicts the Dodgers will sign New York Mets star closer Edwin Diaz to a four-year, $82 million deal.
“The Mets pounced to proactively re-sign Diaz before he could truly even test his market last time. That deal was under former GM Billy Eppler,” the article read. “Will new president of baseball operations David Stearns make a similarly aggressive strike?
“It’s hard to see, but it’s always possible owner Steve Cohen could take matters into his own hands and retain his superstar stopper. If not, Diaz is going to draw interest from basically every big-market contender (e.g. Yankees, Dodgers, Giants, Blue Jays).”
Diaz would come in and likely be the Dodgers’ closer, especially if Roki Sasaki goes back to the rotation in 2026.
The soon-to-be 32-year-old is one of the top relievers in baseball and would help solidify Los Angeles’ bullpen. He’s a three-time All-Star and two-time NL Reliever of the Year.
Last season with the Mets, Diaz went 6-3 with a 1.63 ERA in 62 games.
Diaz Looking For Lucrative Deal in Free Agency
With Diaz turning 32 before the season starts, this likely will be the last major deal he signs.
Given that this could be the final contract he signs, Diaz will look for a lucrative, multi-year deal, especially once he declines the qualifying offer, according to Dierkes.
“Diaz already set the record for the largest overall guarantee ($102MM) and largest average annual value ($20.4MM) any reliever has ever received,” the article read. “His five-year, $102MM deal with the Mets allowed him to opt out and return to free agency this winter, and with “only” two years and $38MM remaining on that pact, he took the opt-out and will take aim at toppling at least one of his own standing records.
“With Diaz set to pitch next year at 32, it’s unlikely he’ll command another five-year deal. That makes it unlikely that he can find another nine-figure deal and top his record guarantee. However, Diaz should still have enough juice to get a four-year contract, and he could take aim at his AAV record.”
Diaz is one of the game’s top closers, and he would immediately give Dave Roberts some insurance at the backend of the bullpen.
Dodgers Bullpen Was an Issue All Season
Despite Los Angeles winning the World Series, the bullpen was an issue all season long.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn’t have many relievers he trusted in the playoffs, so adding some high-leverage relievers seems like a must.
During the season, Roberts called out his bullpen after blowing another game and hoped that it was rock bottom.
“It better be rock bottom, as far as how we’ve been pitching, how we’ve been playing defense,” Roberts said on July 22.
If Sasaki moves back to the rotation, it only adds to the need to add another reliever.
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