Closer Edwin Díaz's deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers is for three years and $69 million, sources tell ESPN. The Dodgers, who were targeting bullpen help this winter, got the best closer on the market, setting a new AAV record for relievers.
Dodgers ink Edwin Díaz to three-year deal
Photo credit: © Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Dec 9, 2025, 12:15 EST
The rich get richer.
After winning back-to-back World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers made a big splash on Tuesday morning, signing the best reliever on the market, Edwin Díaz. It’s a three-year deal worth $69 million, the largest annual salary for any reliever in history.
As you may recall, the Toronto Blue Jays were linked to Díaz early in the off-season, with the two camps reportedly meeting. There’s no denying that Díaz is the best reliever on the market, as he had a 1.63 ERA and 2.28 FIP in 66.1 innings pitched, with a 38 K% and an 8.1 BB% in 2025 with the New York Mets.
However, $23 million annually would come in as one of the most expensive contracts on the Blue Jays payroll. They certainly have the money for it, but breaking the bank for a position as volatile as relief pitching just isn’t worth it, especially given that the Dodgers will now lose a second and fifth round pick having gone over the Competitive Balance Tax and signing player who decline a qualifying offer.
The reliever market is slowly dwindling down. So far this off-season, Raisel Iglesias, Phil Maton, Ryan Helsley, Devin Williams, Emilio Pagán, and a handful of others have already signed. Thankfully, there are still a handful of options for the Blue Jays to pursue, such as Pete Fairbanks, Taylor Rogers, and Robert Suárez. The latter of the bunch has been linked to the Blue Jays in recent times, both by Sportsnet and Jon Morosi.
With Edwin Diaz off the market, the Mets and Blue Jays are among the top suitors for Robert Suarez, sources say. @MLBNetwork
Earlier this off-season, the Blue Jays signed one of the best starting pitchers on the market, Dylan Cease, as well as Cody Ponce, shoring up their starting pitching depth. Upgrading relief pitching is still important, but so too is adding an impact bat. They’ve been linked heavily to Kyle Tucker, as well as Bo Bichette and to a lesser extent, Cody Bellinger.
With the team that beat them in the World Series improving, it’s time for the Blue Jays to return serve, whether that’s improving their bullpen or bringing in/back a big bat.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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