Edwin Diaz opens up about his relationship with Steve Cohen

Edwin Díaz's move from the New York Mets to the Los Angeles Dodgers became a focal point in baseball's 2026 offseason, with the All-Star closer signing a three-year, $69 million deal with the defending back-to-back champions. The transaction culminated months of competitive bidding, with the Mets holding initial advantage given Díaz's six-year tenure with the organization. However, the Mets' decision to sign reliever Devin Williams without simultaneously retaining Díaz created an opening that the Dodgers aggressively exploited. According to reporting, Dodgers teammate Kiké Hernández identified an opportunity, telling president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman: "I realized Edwin probably feels a little disrespected by this. I reached out to Andrew, and I let him know that I know this guy really well, and I think it's the right time to act on things." This personal outreach proved decisive in swaying Díaz to Los Angeles.

When the Dodgers and Mets faced each other for the first time in mid-April 2026, Díaz had the opportunity to address the elephant in the room. Mets owner Steve Cohen had publicly expressed confusion about Díaz's departure, but during their pre-game conversation, Díaz clarified his position. "We have a good relationship," Díaz told media. "He understands this is a business. We talked about many things. We didn't talk about my decision. We talked about our families, how he was doing, how the boys were doing. My relationship with Steve goes beyond sports. They treated me really well in New York, and we always had good communication." This characterization positioned the move as a professional decision rather than a personal grievance, with Díaz emphasizing his desire to compete for championships.

From a roster management perspective, Díaz's acquisition has proven strategically valuable for the Dodgers despite early health complications. By mid-April, the closer had experienced knee issues related to previous surgery that sidelined him for most of the prior week. However, Díaz downplayed these concerns, stating "I feel ready to continue pitching" and expressing confidence in his ability to return to full availability. Manager Dave Roberts exercised caution, electing not to use Díaz in certain low-leverage situations, but the closer's presence has demonstrably improved the bullpen's effectiveness. The Dodgers' bullpen ERA of 3.24 ranks fourth in the National League, and with Díaz established as the ninth-inning closer, Roberts has been able to deploy mid-relief specialists Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen in optimal matchups. For institutional investors monitoring the Dodgers' ownership value and operational performance, Díaz's acquisition and continued health status represent material factors in the franchise's championship contention window.