The Philadelphia Phillies weren't the only ones busy with free agent signings on Tuesday morning at the MLB Winter Meetings. As fans rejoiced over the news that the Phillies had agreed to a huge five-year, $150 million deal with Kyle Schwarber, they might have missed just as big a move by their foremost National League competitor.
Immediately after the Schwarber news broke, the big, bad Los Angeles Dodgers got in on the free agent frenzy by signing former New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz. The 31-year-old right-hander was the top reliever on the free agent market, and the Dodgers are paying him like it as they reload to try to capture their third straight World Series title in 2026.
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Los Angeles signed Díaz for three years and $69 million. The $23 million AAV sets a record for relievers, per Passan.
Closer Edwin Díaz's deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers is for three years and $69 million, sources tell ESPN. The Dodgers, who were targeting bullpen help this winter, got the best closer on the market, setting a new AAV record for relievers.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 9, 2025
Phillies keep Kyle Schwarber while Dodgers get even better with Edwin Díaz signing
The most frustrating thing about this for Phillies fans … you know, aside from seeing the champs add a huge bullpen arm, has to be that it comes just a day after Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that the front office didn't have any big additions planned this offseason.
While the Phillies had to spend $150 million to bring back a piece of their puzzle that wasn't good enough this season, Los Angeles added a brand-new piece to their World Series squad for 2026. Díaz joins veterans Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, and Blake Treinen to form a formidable backend unit. He'll definitely make an impact in a Dodgers bullpen that was about as rough as the Phillies' bullpen last year. Both teams had a 4.27 reliever ERA.
Heading into his 10th MLB season since breaking in with the Seattle Mariners in 2016, Díaz sports a career 2.82 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with a 39.9 percent strikeout rate. He has 253 saves in 294 chances.
Unfortunately, the Phillies are all too familiar with Díaz after his six seasons with the rival Mets. The Phillies faced Díaz four times in 2025, without much luck. He allowed just one run while striking out nine (of 17 batters faced) in five innings.