Mets blindsided by Edwin Diaz departure as Dodgers maintain upper hand

The Los Angeles Dodgers have done it again. According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, All-Star closer Edwin Díaz and the Dodgers are in agreement on a deal, and the reaction across the league can be summed up in one word: shock — especially in Queens.

Díaz, who was easily the top arm in the bullpen market this offseason, is signing with the Dodgers for three years and $69 million, per Jeff Passan. The deal sets a new AAV record for a relief pitcher. Because Díaz rejected a one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer, New York will receive draft pick compensation.

The 31-year-old right-hander opted out the remaining two years and $37 million on his previous Mets contract in November, making him a free agent once again after winning National League Reliever of the Year honors for the second time in his career in 2025.

Among pitchers with at least 50 innings in 2025, Díaz led the NL in ERA (1.63) and strikeout rate (38%), FIP (2.28), xFIP (2.49) and SIERA (2.18). He also ranked a very close second in WHIP (0.87) and batting average against (.162).

Mets fans dared to have hope at last month's MLB Awards ceremony, when Díaz put his odds of returning to Queens at "50-50." So much for that.

Edwin Díaz shocks Mets, signs with Dodgers for 3 years at $69 million

Make no mistake: the Mets were blindsided by Díaz's exit. They thought they were still in the conversation, still in the relationship, still trying to piece together some version of a bounce-back future with their $100 million closer. Instead? The Dodgers swooped in like they always do — silently, efficiently, ruthlessly — and walked out with one of the game’s most electric ninth-inning weapons.

This is the Dodgers’ offseason superpower: they operate from a position of constant leverage. Other teams talk about upgrading; the Dodgers just do it. Even coming off a shaky 2025, Díaz still flashes 100 mph and wipeout stuff, and the defending World Series champs clearly believe they can unlock the full version of him again. And they were willing to move faster — and spend bigger — than the Mets expected.

For New York, it’s another gut punch in an offseason full of questions. For the Dodgers? It’s a Tuesday. Another elite arm, another flex of their unparalleled ability to turn rumors into reality.

Baseball’s balance of power just shifted again, and Los Angeles — stunning no one but the Mets — remains firmly in control.