Dodgers Sign $60 Million Closer to Fix Bullpen Woes

Edwin Diaz's arrival is seen as the 'X-factor' that could propel the Dodgers to another World Series title.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Los Angeles Dodgers, coming off back-to-back World Series wins, have signed star closer Edwin Diaz to a $60 million contract in an effort to shore up their bullpen issues from the 2025 season. Diaz, who had a 1.63 ERA and 98 strikeouts for the New York Mets last year, is expected to be the missing piece that transforms the Dodgers' relief corps into an unstoppable force.

Why it matters

The Dodgers' bullpen struggled mightily in 2025, nearly costing them a third straight championship. The addition of Diaz, one of the best closers in baseball, is seen as the key to unlocking the Dodgers' full potential and making them virtually unbeatable.

The details

Last season, the Dodgers' bullpen was a major weakness, forcing the starting pitchers to shoulder an outsized burden late in games. The signing of Diaz, who had a dominant 2025 campaign with the Mets, is expected to stabilize the relief corps and provide a reliable ninth-inning option that was sorely lacking.

  • The Dodgers signed Diaz to a $60 million contract in the 2025 offseason.
  • Diaz had a 1.63 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 66.1 innings for the Mets in 2025.

The players

Edwin Diaz

A 31-year-old star closer who the Dodgers signed to a $60 million contract in the offseason to shore up their bullpen.

Tanner Scott

The Dodgers' closer in 2025 who struggled, leading the team to seek an upgrade in the offseason.

Roki Sasaki

A Dodgers starting pitcher who helped stabilize the bullpen late in the 2025 season.

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What they’re saying

“Despite spending $16M more on relievers than any other team, the Dodgers' bullpen seemed to be just plain cursed last season. But if new closer Edwin Diaz pitches as well as he did last year with the Mets, it's hard to find a thermal exhaust port on this Death Star.”

— Kerry Miller, Bleacher Report Writer (Bleacher Report)

What’s next

The Dodgers will be closely monitoring Diaz's performance in spring training and the early part of the 2026 season to see if he can recapture the dominant form he showed with the Mets in 2025.

The takeaway

The Dodgers' signing of Edwin Diaz to a $60 million contract is a clear sign that the team is going all-in on winning another World Series title. If Diaz can solidify the back end of the bullpen, the Dodgers' roster will be nearly unbeatable and they will be the heavy favorites to win it all again in 2026.