While the Los Angeles Dodgers are being labeled as the team that is “ruining baseball,” they remain one of the most effective organizations at convincing players to join them. A perfect example is Edwin Díaz.
The star closer of the New York Mets chose to leave New York and head west to a team poised to win a third consecutive World Series. Winning clearly matters.
Edwin Díaz and the Dodgers’ concerns
His signing also resolves pressing questions for the Dodgers organization, especially for manager Dave Roberts, who worried about bullpen stability after a chaotic 2025 season. However, Edwin Díaz’s history with the World Baseball Classic (WBC) adds uncertainty.
In 2023, Díaz suffered a serious knee injury while celebrating Puerto Rico’s 5-2 victory over the Dominican Republic, which forced him to miss the following MLB season. That precedent is what has the Dodgers and Dave Roberts nervous.
Díaz and the World Baseball Classic
Díaz is expected to join Puerto Rico in the WBC, despite insurance issues that forced players like Francisco Lindor to miss the tournament in the past. Puerto Rico will open its campaign on March 6 against Colombia, and Díaz would be a major boost to their bullpen.
Dodgers fans are watching closely after Díaz’s 2024 performance dip, his first year back from the knee injury. He bounced back in 2025 with a 1.63 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 66.1 innings, proving he can still dominate.
The big question: which version of Edwin Díaz will arrive in Los Angeles? The Dodgers hope he will shine as the key closer in their pursuit of a three-peat World Series.
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