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By Drew VonScio
Contributing Sports Writer
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There are very few contenders that need bullpen help as badly as the Los Angeles Dodgers. In a way, it's a miracle the bullpen survived long enough to help them win the World Series as manager Dave Roberts pushed all of the right buttons.
Now, the organization needs to reflect and try to rebuild the group of relievers. With so much uncertainty around Tanner Scott and his ability to perform at a high level, the Dodgers can't walk out of free agency without a high-leverage reliever. Jeff Passan is urging the team to pursue New York Mets' All-Star closer Edwin Diaz.
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"The Dodgers are not inclined to go 10-plus years on Kyle Tucker, they don't need Kyle Schwarber and their starting pitching, with the return of seven pitchers who contributed in 2025 along with River Ryan and Gavin Stone coming back from major surgeries, is a strength," Passan wrote for ESPN. "While they have plenty of room to maneuver for a trade, the most obvious move is to hope the second time's a charm in spending big money on a closer after Tanner Scott's disappearing act this year. Sign free agent closer Edwin Diaz."
Signing Diaz would be a win-win for the Dodgers. Not only would they get an elite closer who can fortify their bullpen, they also make one of their competitors weaker. The Mets are pushing to get back to the postseason next year, and Diaz would help them do that, but the Dodgers could swipe him away from the organization he has played for since 2019.
Diaz is predicted to sign a four-year, $88 million deal this winter which comes out to an average of $22 million per year. For an elite closer like Diaz, it's a reasonable price to pay. He has recorded 20+ saves in each of the last four seasons he has played in with an ERA under 1.75 in two of his last three years. Multiple teams are expected to pursue Diaz this winter, in addition to the Dodgers and Mets, so Los Angeles will need to act quickly if it wants to sign him.
If the Dodgers manage to land Diaz, he would make their team even better than it is now. It's all of the more reason why they should do it.
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