Dodgers predicted to go all-in for $102M flamethrower, 3-time All-star to address biggest weakness originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to win three World Series in a row once the 2026 season starts in March. The team is almost unstoppable and has a knack for the playoffs. However, at the end of last season, there were still a lot of things up in the air. Even so, they had to convert a starter who spent most of the year in the minors into a closer for the playoffs.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I genuinely thought we wouldn't see Roki Sasaki return in 2025... I figured they'd just shut him down and try again in 2026. He's seriously the reliever I trust the most right now and he should be the closer moving forward. He's looked flat out untouchable since returning,” Dodgers beat writer Blake Harris wrote.
The Dodgers still want Sasaki to be a starter, which means they have to make a move. Edwin Díaz has opted out of his contract with the New York Mets.
“Mets closer Edwin Díaz has opted out of the final two years and $38 million guaranteed on his contract, the club announced Tuesday, making Díaz a free agent for the first time in his career,” MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo wrote.
Fansided’s Christopher Kline believes the Dodgers need to go all in for the free agent.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“The Los Angeles Dodgers wield a seemingly bottomless supply of cash. Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger may be too rich, even for this front office, but the Dodgers aren't going to shy away from significant investments. Closer is the single clearest need for L.A. this winter. Rōki Sasaki emerged as a tremendous late-innings weapon in October, but the Dodgers still view him as a starter long term. The bullpen was easily the weakest element of the Dodgers' World Series bid; Díaz would give L.A. arguably the best closer in MLB to complement the best rotation in MLB. The rich always get richer. It's a fact of life. Just mentally prepare for this outcome, folks,” Kline wrote.
There is so much that the Dodgers can do this offseason, but getting Díaz is an absolute power move. The bullpen was the weakest part of the organization last season, and this upgrade would be as good as they can get it.
Díaz has a championship pedigree, which is exactly what the Dodgers are always looking for. It would be a move that makes them even more of a favorite to win the World Series in 2026.
More MLB news:
- Phillies predicted to sign $140M injury-prone power bat, putting Alec Bohm's future in doubt
- Twins' $100M 2-time All-Star, Gold Glove winner open to waiving no-trade clause for Braves
- Blue Jays predicted to sign $400M World Series champion as Bo Bichette update adds optimism
- Braves predicted to pair Chris Sale with rival 2-time All-Star, boasting 1.48 postseason ERA
- Yankees trade prediction lands $325M, 2-time World Series MVP, sparking Anthony Volpe dilemma
- Yankees predicted to outbid Dodgers for $196M flamethrower to form trio with Gerrit Cole, Max Fried
