All-Star pitcher Edwin Diaz has agreed a three-year contract worth $69 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to a report.
Diaz, who played for the New York Mets between 2019 and 2022 and from 2024 until opting out of his contract this year, will average a record $23m salary for an MLB reliever, according to The Athletic.
The 31-year-old recorded a 1.63 ERA with 28 saves in his sixth season with the Mets, as well as his third All-Star call-up.
Edwin Diaz contract: Los Angeles Dodgers ‘land pitcher’
The previous record for Diaz’s position was set by the Puerto Rican with a five-year, $102.5m deal with the Mets after the 2022 season.
That contract was worth under $95m in present-day market value because of deferrals, with Diaz opting out with two years left.
Edwin locks up the #MetsWin. 🔥@SugarDiaz39 | #LGM pic.twitter.com/Ax7IiEBLrz
— New York Mets (@Mets) June 30, 2021
A debutant with the Seattle Mariners, with whom he played between 2016 and 2018, Diaz had been projected to sign a four-year, $84 million contract this year.
New York Mets: Williams ‘very motivated’
The two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers signed Devin Williams earlier this month on a three-year, $51m deal with $15m in deferrals.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said the team are “comfortable” with Williams taking Diaz’s role rather than serving as backup.
“I’ve certainly seen Devin perform at a very high level for a long time,” said Stearns, via ESPN. “I have full confidence that he can be one of the best relievers in baseball.
“He’s very motivated to do that and I’m looking forward to watching him. We do our best to weigh the full impact of any player on our team – on our organization – and we make the best decision we can.
“I’m not going to talk about any specific negotiation. What I’ll say is that once you add to a certain part of our team, that will change the calculus in how you look at your team in general.”
Williams posted a 1.83 ERA in six seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers before registering a 4.79 ERA in 67 appearances with the New York Yankees in 2025.