In a move that has sent shockwaves through the baseball world, closer Edwin Díaz is reportedly leaving the Mets to join the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers on a three-year, $69 million deal. But here's where it gets controversial: this agreement, which includes deferred payments, adds to the Dodgers' already staggering $1.051 billion in deferred pay owed to players from 2028-46. Is this a sustainable financial strategy, or are the Dodgers playing with fire? Let’s dive in.
The 31-year-old Díaz, a three-time All-Star who will turn 32 in March, is set to bolster a Dodgers bullpen that struggled last season, forcing the team to rely on rookie starter Roki Sasaki as their closer in the postseason. Los Angeles relievers posted a 4.27 ERA, ranking 21st out of 30 teams—a glaring weakness Díaz is expected to address. Known for his electric 97-98 mph fastball and devastating slider, Díaz became a fan favorite at Citi Field, where his entrance to the tune of Narco by Blasterjaxx & Timmy Trumpet was met with blaring horns and dancing fans.
But this is the part most people miss: Díaz’s departure was anticipated by the Mets, who swiftly signed Devin Williams to a three-year, $51 million deal after he spent just one season with the Yankees. Is this a case of the Mets dodging a bullet, or will they regret letting Díaz go? The debate is already heating up.
Díaz joins a Dodgers bullpen that includes left-hander Tanner Scott, who battled elbow inflammation in his first season after signing a four-year, $72 million contract. Jack Dreyer, Anthony Banda, and Alex Vesia round out the relief corps. Last season, Díaz recorded 28 saves in 31 opportunities, posting a 6-3 record and a stellar 1.63 ERA for a Mets team that fell short of playoff expectations despite ranking second in spending behind the Dodgers. He struck out 98 batters in 66 1/3 innings—a reminder of his dominance on the mound.
Over nine seasons with the Seattle Mariners (2016-18) and the Mets, Díaz has amassed 253 saves in 294 chances. The Mets acquired him in 2018 alongside second baseman Robinson Canó in a trade that sent five players, including Jarred Kelenic and Anthony Swarzak, to Seattle. However, Díaz missed the entire 2023 season after tearing his patellar tendon during a postgame celebration with Puerto Rico at the World Baseball Classic—a cautionary tale about the risks of off-field injuries.
Here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Díaz had previously signed a five-year, $102 million contract with the Mets after the 2022 season, which included deferred payments through 2042. He held an opt-out clause after three years and $64 million, with $15.5 million of that deferred until July 1, 2039. By choosing to leave, Díaz is betting on his value in the open market—a bold move that raises questions about player loyalty versus financial security. Was this a smart career decision, or will it backfire?
As Díaz heads to Los Angeles, the Dodgers are clearly doubling down on their championship aspirations. But with their deferred payment obligations now exceeding a billion dollars, are they building a dynasty or a house of cards? And for the Mets, is Devin Williams truly a worthy replacement, or will they come to regret letting Díaz walk? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one offseason move that’s sure to spark debate!
