The Los Angeles Dodgers are once again in the thick of the offseason spotlight-no surprise there. Year after year, they’re a major player in the free-agent market, and this winter is shaping up to be no different.
While names like Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger have floated around as potential targets, the real focus might be on the mound. And specifically, the ninth inning.
Yes, the Dodgers already made a splash last offseason by signing Tanner Scott to a four-year, $72 million deal. But let’s be honest-his first season in Dodger blue didn’t exactly lock down the closer role.
A 4.74 ERA and 10 blown saves later, and LA found themselves scrambling for answers late in games. By the time the postseason rolled around, it was Roki Sasaki stepping into the closer’s role.
He performed admirably, but the plan has always been for Sasaki to return to the rotation, not stay in the bullpen.
That leaves a gaping hole at the back end of the bullpen, and that’s where Edwin Díaz comes into the picture.
Díaz, who opted out of the final two years of his five-year, $102 million deal with the Mets, is hitting the market again-and he’s doing it at just the right time. After missing all of 2023 due to injury, he had a bit of a tune-up year in 2024, posting a 3.52 ERA over 54 appearances.
But in 2025, he looked every bit like the dominant force we saw before the injury. He delivered a 1.63 ERA across 62 appearances, punched out 98 batters in just over 66 innings, and converted 28 of 31 save opportunities.
That’s elite closer stuff, plain and simple.
The Dodgers know what it’s like to have a bullpen that can’t quite close the door. In a postseason where every pitch in the ninth inning feels like a coin flip, having a guy like Díaz-someone with swing-and-miss stuff and a proven track record-can make all the difference. He’s not just a luxury; he could be a necessity.
Of course, it’s not going to come cheap. Spotrac estimates Díaz’s market value at around four years and $73.3 million.
That’s strikingly similar to what LA gave Scott last winter. And after how that deal played out in Year 1, the front office might be hesitant to double down on another big-money closer.
But here’s the thing: the Dodgers aren’t afraid to spend when the fit is right. And Díaz?
He fits. He’s battle-tested, he’s bounced back from injury, and he’s shown he can still dominate in high-leverage situations.
If LA is serious about shoring up the bullpen-and all signs suggest they are-then Díaz should be at or near the top of their list.
The Dodgers have built a roster that’s consistently among the best in baseball. But even great teams can be undone by bullpen uncertainty. Bringing in Díaz could turn a question mark into a strength-and that might be the difference between another early playoff exit and a deep October run.