The Los Angeles Dodgers decided to go all in to address their bullpen this offseason by signing Edwin Díaz to a record contract in free agency.
The New York Mets were highly motivated to retain their All-Star reliever, positioning themselves as the Dodgers’ biggest competitor during the negotiation process.
Díaz’s decsion came as a surprise to Mets leadership, as they reportedly made a comparable offer to Díaz and were willing to increase it before he chose to sign with the Dodgers.
During an appearance on the Mets’ YouTube channel, team owner and CEO Steve Cohen discussed his shock upon learning of the outcome of negotiations:
“I did find that one perplexing. I’m not sure exactly how Edwin arrived at that decision. Obviously, it’s a personal decision on his part, and I thought we made a pretty respectable bid.”
Díaz’s contract with the Dodgers was shorter of the four- or five-year deal many projected for him to command, but his $23 million average annual value (AAV) is still a record for a relief pitcher. It surpasses the $20.4 million mark he set in his last contract with the Mets.
The right-hander responded to Cohen’s comments, explaining that his decision was influenced by the Dodgers’ recruitment tactics.
“It’s a market I was in. I was a free agent, so I got the chance to talk with everyone,” Díaz said. “I think the Dodgers did a great job recruiting me. At the end of the day, I chose to be here.”
Díaz enjoyed his time with the Mets, but is looking forward to starting this new chapter in his career.
“I have a lot of respect for the Mets organization, players, staff, ownership. They treated me really good. I don’t have anything bad to say about them,” he said.
“But at the end of the day, I’m here. This is a new journey for me and I’m happy to be with the Dodgers, so let’s see how it goes.”
For what it’s worth to the Cohen and the Mets, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman wasn’t confident that Díaz was going to choose L.A. for most of the process.
Dodgers’ reputation swayed Edwin Díaz’s opinion
Díaz specifically pointed to the Dodgers’ winning culture and the way the team treats all players as factors that swayed his opinion to choose L.A.
His brother, Alexis Díaz, and Kiké Hernández played an important role in L.A.’s recruitment efforts.
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