The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed a three-year, $69 million deal with former New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz.
The Dodgers, looking to strengthen their bullpen this winter, got the best relief pitcher available on the market.
His salary of $23 million per year makes Diaz the highest paid reliever in baseball.
Diaz, 31, forfeited the two-year, $38 million guarantee remaining on the five-year contract he signed to remain with the Mets in 2022. That contract was considered a rare five-year commitment for a relief pitcher, but it ended after three seasons when Diaz decided to test the free agent market.
Diaz was offered a qualifying offer of $22.025 million by the Mets, which he declined before the November 18 deadline. As he signed with a new team, New York will receive a compensatory draft pick after the fourth round.
The decision to retire was preceded by a breakout season for the right-handed relief pitcher, who posted a 1.63 ERA and converted 28 of 31 save chances for the Mets last season. With an exceptional combination of fastballs and a devastating slider, Diaz struck out 98 batters in 66 1/3 innings, while only allowing 14 walks.
Three times selected to the All-Star Game, Diaz had very irregular seasons with the Mets. He posted an ERA below 2.00 three times, but in other years it was 3.45 or worse, and he missed six or more saves in each of those three campaigns.
Diaz missed the entire 2023 season after suffering a serious knee injury while celebrating a save during the World Baseball Classic. The Mets acquired him in 2018 in a seven-player trade with the Seattle Mariners.
