With Devin Williams heading to Queens on a three-year deal with the Mets, and fellow relievers Raisel Iglesias and Ryan Helsley also off the board, the free-agent reliever market is starting to look a lot lighter than it did just a week ago. And for a team like the Los Angeles Dodgers - who came into the offseason with a clear need to shore up a bullpen that was wildly inconsistent in 2025 - that narrowing list of options means it's time to pivot.
Williams had long been linked to the Dodgers, and his move to New York likely forces L.A. to reassess its bullpen strategy. They’re still in the market, and they’re not alone - but the urgency just went up a notch.
Dodgers' Bullpen Needs a Fix, Not a Patch
Last season, the Dodgers’ bullpen was a mixed bag. There were stretches where the group looked dominant, but too often, games slipped away late.
The Tanner Scott signing, which was supposed to solidify the late innings, didn’t quite pan out the way the front office hoped. That experience may make L.A. a bit more cautious about handing out another big contract to a reliever - but it doesn’t mean they’re out of the market for top-tier talent.
And there’s still one heavyweight name left on the board: Edwin Díaz.
Enter Edwin Díaz: The Big Name Still Standing
With Williams off the table, Díaz suddenly becomes the most coveted arm left in the reliever pool. And interestingly, the Dodgers are now being viewed as a potential frontrunner to land him - a twist few saw coming earlier in the offseason.
Díaz has been a mainstay in the Mets bullpen since 2019, racking up 116 saves during that span and showing flashes of dominance that few closers in the game can match. When he’s on, he’s electric - a high-velocity, high-strikeout machine who can slam the door in the ninth with authority. But he’s also coming off a stretch where injuries and inconsistency have raised some questions about his long-term durability.
He turns 32 in March, which adds another wrinkle to the conversation. This is likely the last major contract of his career, and he’ll be looking to cash in.
A deal longer than three years might be a tough sell for the Dodgers, who traditionally prefer flexibility - especially with bullpen arms. But if Díaz is open to a shorter-term, high-AAV (average annual value) deal?
That’s a different conversation.
What Would Díaz Bring to L.A.?
Simply put: stability in the ninth inning - something the Dodgers haven’t had in a while. Since Kenley Jansen’s departure, the closer role has felt like a revolving door. Díaz, when healthy and locked in, has the kind of presence that can anchor a bullpen and shorten games in October.
And let’s not forget: the Dodgers are reportedly open to keeping a six-man rotation in 2026. That move could put even more pressure on the bullpen to cover innings consistently. Adding a proven closer like Díaz would go a long way in easing that burden and giving manager Dave Roberts a reliable end-of-game option.
Still Other Options on the Table
If the Dodgers decide Díaz’s price tag is too steep, they’re not completely out of options - but the list is shrinking. Pete Fairbanks, Tyler Rogers, Kenley Jansen (yes, a reunion is still possible), Robert Suarez, Luke Weaver, and Emilio Pagán are all still available. Each comes with their own pros and cons, but none offer the ceiling Díaz does.
The question now becomes: how aggressive will the Dodgers be? They’ve shown a willingness to spend when the fit is right, and with their bullpen needing a reset, Díaz might just be the kind of high-upside gamble worth taking.
Bottom Line
The Dodgers missed out on Devin Williams, but they might be in position to land an even bigger name in Edwin Díaz. It would be a bold move, and not without risk - but it could also be the piece that finally brings stability to a bullpen that’s been searching for answers. If Díaz is willing to meet the Dodgers halfway on contract terms, don’t be surprised if the next big bullpen domino falls in L.A.’s favor.