The Los Angeles Dodgers addressed their biggest bullpen need by signing Edwin Díaz to a three-year, $69 million contract during the offseason.
Díaz became a free agent after opting out of the final two years and $38 million of his deal with the New York Mets. While his former team made a strong effort to re-sign him, the right-hander ultimately decided to continue his career on the West Coast.
Díaz said during his introductory press conference that he wanted to join the Dodgers due to their recent history of winning. The three-time All-Star has since revealed that the Dodgers also promised to make him a Hall of Famer if he signed with them, via Katie Woo and Will Sammon of The Athletic:
One particular statement stood out to Díaz: “The Dodgers told me if I came to Los Angeles and we have the chance to sign you, we will make you a Hall of Famer.”
Díaz has been one of the best closers in baseball over the last decade, and continuing his success with the Dodgers would only help his case for the Hall of Fame. In parts of 10 MLB seasons, he owns a 2.86 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 14.5 strikeouts per nine with 257 saves across 525.1 innings pitched.
The only active relief pitchers with more saves than Díaz are Kenley Jansen (480), Craig Kimbrel (440) and Aroldis Chapman (370).
Díaz has struggled somewhat to begin his Dodgers career as he owns a 6.00 ERA, 4.49 FIP, 1.67 WHIP and 15 strikeouts per nine with four saves in six innings of work.
Edwin Díaz feeling ‘great’ despite uncertainty
Díaz hasn’t pitched since April 10, when he threw 23 pitches and blew a save against the Texas Rangers. That appearance wound up leading to questions about his health, in part because of Díaz being unavailable after expressing he didn’t feel 100%. That was accompanied by a decline in fastball velocity.
However, Díaz is now said to be doing fine and initially deemed available for the Dodgers’ three-game series against his former Mets team. In reality, it wasn’t until the finale against the Mets that Díaz was an option to pitch in.
The Dodgers had him go through a final step of throwing a bullpen session on Tuesday to further ensure his health.
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