The free agent rumor ending with a $102 million star signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers refers to elite closer Edwin Díaz, who is projected to land a contract near the total value of the record-setting deal he opted out of with the New York Mets.
This move addresses the single biggest, highest-leverage need for the back-to-back World Series champions.
The $102 Million Man: Edwin Díaz
Díaz, the two-time NL Reliever of the Year, opted out of the final two seasons of his original five-year, $102 million contract with the Mets. Though his next deal is projected by some to land in the $85 million to $105 million range over four years, the $102 million figure is the current established benchmark for his market value.
| Player Profile | Edwin Díaz | Rationale for Dodgers |
| Position | Closer/Relief Pitcher | The Dodgers’ bullpen struggled significantly in 2025, with Tanner Scott blowing 10 saves before being replaced by Roki Sasaki late in the season. |
| 2025 Stats | 28 Saves, 1.63 ERA | Díaz proved he is still an elite, dominant ninth-inning force. |
| The Need | Stability at Closer | With Roki Sasaki expected to move back to the starting rotation in 2026, the closer role is vacant. Díaz provides instant, elite stability that the Dodgers have lacked since Kenley Jansen departed. |
The Dodgers’ Rationale
The Dodgers rarely “lose” a bidding war for a player they truly want, and relief pitching is clearly their top priority after their offense and starting rotation were fortified last offseason.
- The Mark Feinsand Projection: MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand specifically predicted the Dodgers would be the team to sign Díaz, writing: “Díaz opted out of the final two years of his record-setting, five-year, $102 million contract with the Mets, and whether or not he exceeds that with his next deal, he’s a perfect fit for a team that never hesitates to spend.”1
- The C2hampionship Boost: Adding an established, All-Star caliber closer would be the final piece of the puzzle for a team aiming for a historic third consecutive World Series title.
While the Yankees, Mets, and Blue Jays are also interested, the Dodgers’ track record of successfully landing high-profile free agents makes them the overwhelming favorites to sign the star closer for what would likely be a four-year deal in the neighborhood of $102 million.
