Dodgers reach $69 million deal with former Mets relief pitcher Edwin Díaz, source tells ESPN

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers got the best closer on the free agent market Tuesday, reaching a three-year, $69 million deal with former Mets reliever Edwin Diaz, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Jorge Castillo on Tuesday.

The deal by the Dodgers, who were targeting bullpen help this winter, set a new average annual value record for a relief pitcher.

Diaz, 31, opted out of the two-year, $38 million guarantee that remained on the five-year deal he signed to remain with the Mets in 2022. The contract was considered a rare five-year commitment to a relief pitcher, but it ended after three seasons once Diaz decided to test the open market.

Diaz was tendered a $22.025 million qualifying offer by the Mets, which he declined by the Nov. 18 deadline. Because he signed with a new team, New York will receive a compensatory draft pick after the fourth round.

The Mets on Dec. 1 signed Devin Williams to a three-year, $51 million deal as an insurance policy should Diaz go elsewhere, which he did.

Diaz’s decision to opt out with the Mets was preceded by a vintage season for the righty closer, who logged a 1.63 ERA and converted 28 of 31 save chances for the Mets last season. With an elite combination of a high-velocity fastball and vicious slider, Diaz has posted high strikeout rates throughout his career. In 2025, Diaz struck out 98 in 66 1/3 innings while walking just 14 batters.

A three-time All-Star, Diaz’s time with the Mets was marked by wild year-to-year swings. Diaz posted ERAs under 2.00 three times but in other years was at 3.45 or worse, blowing six saves or more in each of those three campaigns.

Diaz missed the 2023 season altogether after suffering a serious knee injury while celebrating a save in that year’s World Baseball Classic. The Mets acquired him in 2018 as part of a seven-player trade with the Seattle Mariners.

ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle contributed to this report.