Key Takeaways
- • Edwin Díaz signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in December 2025, departing the New York Mets as a free agent after multiple seasons as their closer.
- • Mets owner Steve Cohen publicly characterized Díaz's decision to join the Dodgers as "perplexing," stating he believed the Mets' offer was competitive and potentially superior, while noting the team hedged by signing reliever Devin Williams.
- • Díaz responded diplomatically, framing his move as a business decision driven by the Dodgers' superior recruiting pitch and their back-to-back World Series championships, while expressing respect for the Mets organization and its ownership.
- • The reliever cited desire to compete for a World Series title as a primary motivator, indicating the Dodgers' proven championship culture and recent sustained success influenced his free agency choice over the Mets' counteroffer.
- • Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence in Díaz's integration, highlighting the reliever's character, professionalism, and three-time MLB Reliever of the Year credentials as assets to the team's bullpen.
Summary
Edwin Díaz's departure from the New York Mets to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers became a notable offseason transaction that surprised even the team's ownership. Díaz finalized a three-year, $69 million deal with Los Angeles in December 2025, concluding his tenure with the Mets despite what organization leadership viewed as a competitive financial offer. The move set up a public exchange between the closer and Mets owner Steve Cohen, who expressed bewilderment at the decision during an interview with Mets broadcaster Howie Rose on Friday.
Cohen stated during the radio appearance that he was uncertain how Díaz "arrived at that decision" and argued the Mets' bid "might've been better" than what the Dodgers offered. The owner characterized the move as "perplexing," though he acknowledged it represented a personal choice by the free agent. Cohen noted the organization had proactively mitigated risk by signing reliever Devin Williams as insurance in case Díaz departed, describing the move to General Manager David Stearns as "really clever."
Díaz responded to these comments the following day, taking a measured approach that avoided confrontation while firmly justifying his decision. Speaking to media including ESPN's Alden Gonzalez at Dodgers spring training in Phoenix, Díaz emphasized his free agent status and the Dodgers' effective recruitment efforts. "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." He reaffirmed respect for the Mets organization, its players, staff, and ownership while characterizing his move as "a new journey" driven by championship aspirations.
The closer's decision ultimately centered on winning, with the Dodgers' back-to-back World Series championships serving as a tangible organizational strength. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts reinforced the team's confidence in the acquisition, praising Díaz's character, work ethic, and championship pedigree as a three-time MLB Reliever of the Year. Roberts noted Díaz "loves baseball" and possesses the professionalism required to integrate into the organization's clubhouse culture—an attribute the reliever himself identified as central to the Dodgers' sustained excellence. The transaction underscores how even well-capitalized ownership and competitive financial packages may not retain premium free agent talent when institutional factors like recent championship success and organizational culture weigh heavily in player decision-making.
Cohen stated during the radio appearance that he was uncertain how Díaz "arrived at that decision" and argued the Mets' bid "might've been better" than what the Dodgers offered. The owner characterized the move as "perplexing," though he acknowledged it represented a personal choice by the free agent. Cohen noted the organization had proactively mitigated risk by signing reliever Devin Williams as insurance in case Díaz departed, describing the move to General Manager David Stearns as "really clever."
Díaz responded to these comments the following day, taking a measured approach that avoided confrontation while firmly justifying his decision. Speaking to media including ESPN's Alden Gonzalez at Dodgers spring training in Phoenix, Díaz emphasized his free agent status and the Dodgers' effective recruitment efforts. "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." He reaffirmed respect for the Mets organization, its players, staff, and ownership while characterizing his move as "a new journey" driven by championship aspirations.
The closer's decision ultimately centered on winning, with the Dodgers' back-to-back World Series championships serving as a tangible organizational strength. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts reinforced the team's confidence in the acquisition, praising Díaz's character, work ethic, and championship pedigree as a three-time MLB Reliever of the Year. Roberts noted Díaz "loves baseball" and possesses the professionalism required to integrate into the organization's clubhouse culture—an attribute the reliever himself identified as central to the Dodgers' sustained excellence. The transaction underscores how even well-capitalized ownership and competitive financial packages may not retain premium free agent talent when institutional factors like recent championship success and organizational culture weigh heavily in player decision-making.
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