Dodgers finally find their closer with Edwin Diaz signing

The closer role has been one of the few weaknesses on the Los Angeles Dodgers since Kenley Jansen departed in free agency during the 2021-22 offseason. That hole in the bullpen has been filled.

Will Sammon of The Athletic reported that the Dodgers have agreed to a contract with closer Edwin Diaz. ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that the contract is for three years at $69 million, setting a new average annual value for relievers. 

Diaz had opted out of the final two years and $38 million of the five-year, $102 million contract he signed during the 2022-23 offseason. That contract had a rocky start as Diaz missed the entire 2023 season after tearing the patellar tendon in his right knee while celebrating a victory for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. His 2024 season was a roller coaster as he worked his way back to form.

Edwin Diaz should be the ninth-inning answer Dodgers have been looking for

Diaz had an impressive bounce-back season in 2025. He posted a 1.63 ERA and a 0.874 WHIP over his 66.1 innings, recording 28 saves as he struck out 98 batters and issued 21 walks. Diaz was one of the few Mets pitchers to perform well during New York's second-half collapse, posting a 1.59 ERA and a 0.882 WHIP over 28.1 innings, striking out 43 batters with eight walks.

Diaz is the Dodgers' latest attempt to fill the closer role. Reliever Tanner Scott had signed a four-year, $72 million contract during the 2024-25 offseason and was expected to be the answer in the ninth inning. Instead, Scott struggled despite recording 23 saves, eventually losing the closer role in the second half of the season. Roki Sasaki served as the Dodgers closer in the postseason, as manager Dave Roberts had few relief options he could trust.

The bullpen had been an ongoing sore spot for the Dodgers in 2025. Their relievers posted a 4.27 ERA in 2025, 21st in the majors. Adding Diaz to the bullpen will help alleviate some of those concerns and could make the relief corps a strength as the Dodgers look to win a third consecutive World Series title in 2026.