The Los Angeles Dodgers made a major splash on the free-agent market Tuesday by securing former New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz on a three-year, $69 million contract, according to sources who spoke with ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Jorge Castillo.

The agreement, which gives Díaz a record-setting average annual value for a relief pitcher, addresses one of the Dodgers’ top priorities this offseason: strengthening the bullpen.

A three-time All-Star, Díaz was outstanding last season, posting a 1.63 ERA while converting 28 of 31 save opportunities for the Mets. Known for his overpowering fastball and devastating slider, the 31-year-old has consistently been among baseball’s top strikeout artists. In 2025, he fanned 98 batters over 66⅓ innings and issued just 14 walks.

Los Angeles entered the winter searching for a reliable option in the ninth inning after its relievers combined for a 4.27 ERA and blew 27 saves — tied for the seventh-most in Major League Baseball. The bullpen struggles were so severe late in the year that the Dodgers relied heavily on their starting pitching depth in relief roles, even shifting Roki Sasaki into closing duties while using pitchers such as Emmet Sheehan, Justin Wrobleski and at times Tyler Glasnow out of the bullpen.

Díaz now brings stability to the closer role. Tanner Scott is expected to serve as his primary setup man as the Dodgers hope he rebounds from a difficult first season in Los Angeles. Alex Vesia, Blake Treinen, Anthony Banda and Brusdar Graterol — returning from shoulder surgery — round out what the organization believes is a deep and versatile relief corps.

“Adding a high-leverage reliever is always a positive,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday at the MLB winter meetings in Orlando, Florida.

With their most pressing need addressed, the Dodgers are now expected to shift their focus toward acquiring an outfielder, potentially via trade.

Díaz reached free agency after opting out of the final two years and $38 million remaining on the five-year contract he signed with the Mets in 2022. He declined a $22.025 million qualifying offer before the Nov. 18 deadline, meaning New York will receive a compensatory draft pick after the fourth round. The Mets had already prepared for his departure, signing Devin Williams to a three-year, $51 million deal on Dec. 1.

Díaz’s tenure in New York featured dramatic highs and lows. He recorded ERAs below 2.00 in three seasons but struggled in others, posting ERAs of 3.45 or higher and blowing at least six saves in each of those campaigns. He missed the entire 2023 season due to a serious knee injury sustained while celebrating during the World Baseball Classic.

Since debuting in the majors in 2016, Díaz has accumulated 253 career saves, tied with Raisel Iglesias for second-most during that span, trailing only Kenley Jansen (334), according to ESPN Research.