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By Aaron Coloma
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The Los Angeles Dodgers signed All-Star closer Edwin Diaz to a three-year, $69 million contract Dec. 9, but ESPN's Jorge Castillo revealed the New York Mets, his previous team, were still in the mix for the right-hander leading up to his signing.
Castillo reported Diaz had received offers from the Dodgers and Atlanta Braves, but held out for a deal from the Mets. Upon receiving an offer from the team with whom he spent seven years, though, Diaz opted to head to Los Angeles.
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"The offer came on Dec. 7: three years, $66 million with $21 million deferred over 10 years," Castillo wrote. "Negotiations continued from there, and the Mets ultimately produced another offer, adding a $9 million signing bonus to match the Dodgers, with the $21 million deferred over 15 years.
"But Díaz, who turns 32 in March, wanted an annual average value of at least $20 million after deferrals were taken into account and less deferred money spread over a shorter period. The Mets, according to a source, refused to meet those terms. The Braves, though offering more years, also declined to meet the criteria."
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The Mets also upset Diaz in the days prior, signing another All-Star relief arm in Devin Williams without telling him beforehand. Castillo described the right-hander as "miffed."
Diaz will be the Dodgers' closer for the upcoming season, and if 2025 is anything to go on, they're firmly in the running for the World Series once again. The 31-year-old had a 1.63 ERA through 62 appearances in 2025, striking out 98 batters in 66.1 innings pitched.
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The Mets will need to make a huge recovery during the rest of the offseason, having also lost All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso the day after Diaz signed with LA. They have plenty of options left in free agency, and will hope to add to their star-studded lineup and make the postseason — which they failed to do in 2025.
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