Dodgers Closers Shift with Diaz’s Signing

There’s some talk that Devin Williams might see a slice of Edwin Diaz’s paycheck.

Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, shared that the team did give serious thought to signing Diaz after the Mets brought in Williams.

“He was certainly a top contender for us. But at the beginning of the offseason, we didn’t really think it was feasible,” Friedman mentioned during a chat with Sportsnet LA, after Diaz’s arrival in Los Angeles.

They expressed interest—checking in repeatedly—but had a nagging feeling that the whole thing was a long shot. “It felt very unlikely he’d leave New York,” Friedman reflected. It seems a quick call came, just two or three minutes after Williams signed with the Mets. Diaz, perhaps, had a change of heart.

Then they really started diving into the details. It wasn’t until late Monday going into Tuesday morning that it felt, well, “Okay, we can really push for this now.”

Diaz’s signing was definitely one of the offseason’s shockers. Many had assumed he’d stay in Flushing, considering both his success and owner Steve Cohen’s willingness to spend.

But, you know how free agency can be—it’s unpredictable. The Mets had to act under the possibility of losing their star closer.

Williams was brought in on a three-year, $51 million contract on December 1. This deal positioned him as a top setup man if Diaz remained, or potentially as the closer if he departed.

While the Mets aimed to retain Diaz, their efforts didn’t quite match what the Dodgers were willing to offer. The Dodgers pushed with a three-year, $69 million proposal, while the Mets countered with $66 million, allowing for some flexibility.

Things were made trickier when the Mets decided to let go of pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, a move that reportedly didn’t sit well with Diaz.

Despite these challenges, the Mets are optimistic about Williams, who will step in as their closer after a less-than-stellar stint with the Yankees. It seems they’re still considering adding another quality reliever.

With fewer options available post signings by the Braves and Blue Jays of other pitchers, the Mets might have to settle for less expensive pieces now.

As the Mets strengthen their roster to adjust for these changes, the Dodgers are enthusiastic about integrating Diaz into their plans as they aim for a third consecutive World Series title.

Friedman concluded, “Bringing in a player of Diaz’s caliber changes how you view the entire bullpen. We’re thrilled about our various options and the depth we have heading into a crucial season—especially with postseason aspirations.”