Free-agent reliever Edwin Díaz has agreed to a three-year, $69 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to a source. The deal comes after Díaz opted out of his remaining Mets contract, choosing the Dodgers over a similar offer from New York. This signing bolsters the Dodgers' bullpen ahead of their pursuit of a third straight championship.
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Los Angeles Dodgers continue their aggressive offseason approach by securing elite reliever Edwin Díaz on a three-year, $69 million agreement, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand on Tuesday morning. The club has not yet confirmed the deal, but it represents a significant addition to their relief corps following a challenging 2025 season.
Díaz, 31, opted out of the final two years and $38 million of his previous contract with the New York Mets to enter free agency. The Mets had extended a final offer of three years and $66 million with slight deferrals, but Díaz opted for the Dodgers before further negotiations. Originally, Díaz signed a record-setting five-year, $102 million deal with the Mets prior to the 2023 season. After the Mets tendered a $22.025 million qualifying offer for 2026, which he declined, the signing will cost the Dodgers their second- and fifth-highest 2026 Draft picks, plus $1 million from their international bonus pool. In return, the Mets will receive a compensatory pick after the fourth round.
In 2025, Díaz rebounded strongly with the Mets, recording 28 saves, a 1.63 ERA, and 98 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings. His 38% strikeout rate ranked second among relievers, and his 13.3 K/9 was fifth. Over nine Major League seasons with the Mariners and Mets, Díaz has amassed 253 saves, a 2.82 ERA, and 839 strikeouts in 519 1/3 innings.
The Dodgers' bullpen struggled in 2025, posting a 4.27 ERA while leading MLB with 657 2/3 innings pitched. They lack stability at the back end, a issue highlighted in the postseason when Roki Sasaki temporarily shifted to relief. This marks the second consecutive offseason splurge on relievers for Los Angeles, following the four-year, $72 million signing of Tanner Scott before 2025. Scott posted a 4.74 ERA and blew 10 saves, leading the Majors in that category.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman acknowledged the draft cost but emphasized the value: “It's a real cost, so try to bake it in and factor it into the decision... we have a really strong and deep farm system.” Manager Dave Roberts added, “I think that getting a high-leverage reliever is never a bad thing.” General manager Brandon Gomes noted the focus on impact talent for the bullpen.