Los Angeles, CA — December 10, 2025 – The trumpets are heading West.
In the biggest splash of the MLB offseason, Edwin Díaz has officially signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, ending his spectacular tenure with the New York Mets. The deal, confirmed early this morning, sets a new Major League record for the highest Average Annual Value (AAV) ever given to a relief pitcher at $23 million per year.
The signing signals a massive shift in the National League power balance, as the Dodgers secure the game’s most electrifying closer to anchor a bullpen that wavered during the 2024 postseason.
The 2025 Resurgence
Díaz’s record-breaking payday comes on the heels of a dominant 2025 campaign that saw him re-establish himself as the premier closer in the game. After a rollercoaster 2024, “Sugar” is locked in for a season that reminded everyone why he is elite.
Edwin Díaz: 2025 Season By The Numbers
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ERA: 1.63 (Led all qualified NL relievers)
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Saves: 28 (in 31 opportunities)
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Strikeouts: 98 (13.3 K/9)
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WHIP: 0.87
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Appearances: 62
His fastball velocity sat consistently at 99-101 mph throughout the summer, and his trademark slider generated a whiff rate of over 50%. This performance gave Díaz the leverage he needed to make a bold business decision in November.
The Contract Gamble That Paid Off
The road to Los Angeles began with a high-stakes gamble. Entering the offseason, Díaz had two years and $38 million remaining on his contract with the Mets. Betting on his 2025 performance, he exercised his opt-out clause, leaving the guaranteed money on the table to test free agency.
The Mets extended a Qualifying Offer of $22.025 million, which Díaz promptly rejected. While New York reportedly made a competitive offer to retain him, the Dodgers’ aggressive front office, led by President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman, swooped in with the record-setting $23 million AAV offer.
“We saw an opportunity to add a singular talent to the back of our bullpen,” said Friedman in a press release. “Edwin thrives in high-pressure environments, and there is no pressure cooker quite like October in Los Angeles.”
The Domino Effect: Mets Pivot to Devin Williams
The writing was on the wall for Díaz’s departure earlier this week when the Mets announced the signing of former Brewers closer Devin Williams to a 3-year, $51 million deal.
“We love Edwin and everything he did for this franchise,” a Mets front office source noted. “But we had to protect ourselves. Bringing in Devin ensures our ninth inning remains on lockdown without missing a beat.”
A New Era in LA
For Dodgers fans, the arrival of Díaz is the final piece of a championship puzzle. For Mets fans, it is a bittersweet farewell to the man who turned Citi Field into a party every time the bullpen gates opened.
While the “Narco” trumpets may now blare at Dodger Stadium, the contract numbers prove one thing undeniably: in 2025, a premier closer is worth their weight in gold.
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