After winning back-to-back World Series titles, the Los Angeles Dodgers have few holes to fill in their roster this offseason.
The Dodgers proved they were the best team in baseball after an injury-plagued season in which they had to deploy 39 different pitchers in the regular season. Despite winning another World Series, the playoffs showed that Los Angeles is in need of a true closer in its bullpen.
The Dodgers signed Tanner Scott to a four-year, $72 million contract last offseason, but the 31-year-old struggled in his first season with the team, posting a 4.74 ERA. In the postseason, Los Angeles toyed with rookie Rōki Sasaki closing games, but the 24-year-old is expected to return to the starting rotation next season.
With the Dodgers in need of a closer, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand listed the team as a “perfect fit” to sign New York Mets three-time All-Star reliever Edwin Díaz in free agency.
“Even after signing Tanner Scott a year ago, the Dodgers found themselves searching for an answer in the ninth inning by the end of the season,” Feinsand wrote Sunday. “Roki Sasaki filled the role through the postseason, but he’s expected to return to the rotation, leaving a vacancy in the ninth inning.
“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.”
Díaz had one of the best seasons of his career, posting a 1.63 ERA in 62 appearances with 98 strikeouts, but after six seasons, his time with the Mets may be coming to an end since opting out of his contract. The 31-year-old is projected to sign a four-year contract worth roughly $72 million, according to Spotrac, and would be a great addition to the Dodgers as they look to three-peat next season.
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