Should the Phillies Begin Contract Extension Talks with Jhoan Duran? Jhoan Duran has been every bit the elite closer he was advertised as since joining the Phillies last year. In 40 appearances since the trade deadline, he is 27 for 30 in save opportunities with a 1.93 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. He has started 2026 strongly, posting a perfect 11 for 11 record in save chances and a 1.62 ERA through 17 appearances. Since returning from the injured list on May 5th, Duran has allowed two runs across 10 appearances, striking out 18 batters while walking five. His performance has established him as a key asset for the Phillies. Duran’s success has naturally led to discussions about a potential contract extension. He is currently under team control via arbitration through the 2027 season and will be eligible for free agency at age 30. His 2026 salary of $7.5 million represents an increase from the $4 million he earned in 2025. His lack of long-term security has reportedly influenced his decisions, including declining an invitation to pitch in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Recent reliever deals provide a framework for evaluating a potential extension. Edwin Diaz signed a five-year, $103 million deal with the Mets prior to 2023, later opting out of the final two years of his contract to pursue free agency. He then agreed to a three-year, $69 million deal with the Dodgers, effectively extending his total earnings to $134 million over six years. Josh Hader signed a five-year, $95 million contract with the Astros in 2024, averaging $19 million annually. These examples suggest that closers of Duran’s caliber command contracts exceeding $20 million per season. If Duran continues his current pace, a five-year, $100 million+ deal appears likely.#new_york_mets #philadelphia_phillies #edwin_diaz #jhoan_duran #josh_hader
Dodgers' Tanner Scott Reveals How He Got Back on Track After Nightmare First Season When the Los Angeles Dodgers signed relief pitcher Tanner Scott two winters ago, the move generated significant excitement within the organization. The team had just won the World Series, and the acquisition of arguably the best bullpen arm on the market was seen as a strategic move to address a key weakness. However, Scott's 2025 season with the Dodgers quickly devolved into a challenging chapter of his career. The veteran struggled to maintain consistency on the mound, leading to a turbulent year marked by erratic performances. By midseason, he was removed from the closer role and missed the postseason after undergoing a medical procedure. Over the course of the 2025 season, Scott appeared in 61 games, posting an ERA of 4.74 while securing only 23 of 33 save opportunities. Despite the struggles, Scott's second season with the Dodgers has seen a dramatic turnaround. He recently opened up about the mental and physical adjustments that helped him regain his form. "I just tried washing it away," Scott told The Athletic. "Literally, when January 1 happened, new year, new — going back to what I used to do and just being yourself and trusting your ability and believing your stuff. It’s kind of going out there with a ‘F you, F it’ mindset, and just rolling." This shift in approach has translated into tangible results, as Scott has appeared in 21 games this season with an impressive ERA of 1.37. His resurgence has been particularly valuable for the Dodgers, especially with closer Edwin Díaz sidelined by an injury. Scott’s improved performance has been attributed to specific adjustments he made earlier in the year. Last season, he often struggled with putting the ball in harm’s way, particularly when facing two strikes.#2025_season #los_angeles_dodgers #the_athletic #edwin_diaz #tanner_scott
Tanner Scott's Redemption Arc: From Criticism to Dominance in 2026 The Los Angeles Dodgers' once-derided closer, Tanner Scott, has transformed from a polarizing figure in 2025 to a dominant lefty reliever in 2026, silencing critics who once questioned his role on the team. After a disastrous 2025 season marked by a 4.74 ERA, 15 blown saves, and a lack of postseason appearances, Scott’s resurgence has redefined his value to the Dodgers. By mid-May 2026, his performance has shifted the narrative entirely, with fans and analysts alike acknowledging his resurgence. Scott’s 2026 season has been nothing short of remarkable. Through May 24, he posted a 1.25 ERA, a 32.5% strikeout rate, and a 3.9% walk rate, showcasing his dominance in the late innings. His fastball averages nearly 97 mph, and he consistently throws first-pitch strikes to 75% of batters. These numbers contrast sharply with his 2025 struggles, where he posted a 4.74 ERA and led the league in blown saves. Advanced metrics further support his turnaround: his xERA of 2.97 and FIP of 2.39 indicate that his success is not merely a product of luck. His 17.9% swinging strike rate ranks seventh among relievers, underscoring his effectiveness against opposing hitters. The Dodgers’ strategic shift in Scott’s role has been pivotal to his revival. After acquiring Edwin Diaz in a three-year, $69 million deal over the winter, the team moved Scott from the closer role to a setup man, a position he thrived in during his time with the San Diego Padres. This adjustment alleviated the pressure of closing games and allowed Scott to leverage his matchup-based strengths. The results were immediate, with Scott delivering consistent performances in high-leverage situations.#los_angeles_dodgers #dave_roberts #andrew_friedman #edwin_diaz #tanner_scott
Dodgers News: Edwin Diaz to Bring Timmy Trumpet's "Narcos" Theme to Los Angeles As the 2026 MLB season approaches, Los Angeles Dodgers fans are eagerly anticipating the debut of new additions to the roster, including Edwin Diaz, who has signed a lucrative free-agent contract. The focus is on whether Diaz will bring his iconic "Narcos" entrance theme, a signature element of his career, to Dodger Stadium. Diaz, known for his electrifying presence on the mound, has long been associated with the high-energy "Narcos" song by Timmy Trumpet and Blasterjaxx. The track, which blends electronic beats with a dramatic trumpet solo, became a staple of his walk-up music during his time with the Seattle Mariners. After briefly switching to a different song during his tenure with the New York Mets, Diaz returned to "Narcos" in 2023, sparking a wave of fan enthusiasm. The Mets even incorporated the theme into merchandise, including bobbleheads and foam trumpet giveaways, cementing its place in the team’s culture. Now, with Diaz joining the Dodgers, fans are curious about how the theme will translate to Dodger Stadium. NBC Los Angeles reporter Olivia Garvey highlighted the significance of the moment, noting that the "Narcos" entrance would mark the first time Diaz steps onto the field at the iconic venue. “If all you Dodgers fans aren’t excited enough for OPENING DAY… For the first time at Dodger Stadium… We finally get to see Edwin Diaz come out of the Bullpen to the Trumpets,” Garvey wrote. The Dodgers’ 2026 lineup includes returning stars like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, alongside new additions such as Kyle Tucker and Santiago Espinal. Diaz’s role as the team’s closer is expected to address their late-inning struggles, adding another layer of excitement for the season.#los_angeles #dodgers #edwin_diaz #timmy_trumpet #blasterjaxx
Dodgers 2026 Bullpen Preview: Edwin Diaz Joins Elite Core The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to have a full-time closer for the first time since 2021 as they prepare for the 2026 season. The team’s acquisition of All-Star reliever Edwin Díaz during the offseason addresses a long-standing issue that hindered their bullpen in 2025. First-year closer Tanner Scott struggled after signing a multi-year deal, leading the Dodgers to shift Japanese rookie Roki Sasaki into the role in October. Díaz, a dominant closer with the New York Mets, returns to the majors after declining the final two years of his $102 million, five-year contract. Over seven seasons with the Mets, he posted a 2.36 ERA, 2.12 SIERA, and 2.15 FIP, along with a 40.8% strikeout rate and 8.9% walk rate. He recorded 144 saves in 332 appearances, establishing himself as one of baseball’s premier closers. Despite turning 32 this season, projections from FanGraphs anticipate a 2.92 ERA and 2.90 FIP across 66 innings for Díaz in Los Angeles. With the Dodgers’ star-studded roster, he is expected to surpass his 28 saves from 2025. Díaz missed most of the Cactus League action due to participation with Team Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic but has since returned to Camelback Ranch. His presence in the bullpen provides stability, as the Dodgers’ 2025 team ranked 10th in the league with 25 blown saves. Manager Dave Roberts expressed relief at having a reliable 9th-inning option, citing Díaz’s track record of success. Tanner Scott, the team’s previous closer, faced significant challenges in his first season with the Dodgers. After a stellar 2024 campaign with a 1.75 ERA and 28.6% strikeout rate, Scott struggled in 2025, posting a 4.74 ERA, 4.70 FIP, and 11 blown saves. His 25.#world_baseball_classic #los_angeles_dodgers #edwin_diaz #tanner_scott #roki_sasaki
Former Mets All-Star closer predicted to lead NL in saves with Dodgers During the 2026 MLB offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets were closely tied to several top free agents, with their competition for Kyle Tucker culminating in a $240 million, four-year deal for the Dodgers. Another significant move involved the departure of an All-Star closer from the Mets to the Dodgers, where he signed a three-year contract worth over $60 million. MLB.com’s Manny Randhawa noted that 57 of his staff members predicted the new Dodgers closer, Edwin Diaz, would finish the season with the most saves in the National League. This outcome would be a setback for the Mets, who lost a key reliever, but a major advantage for the Dodgers, who have struggled with bullpen depth in recent years. Diaz, a 32-year-old reliever, has been among the league’s best closers over the past few seasons. In 2025, he posted a 1.63 ERA with a 38% strikeout rate while saving 28 games for the Mets. His performance last year solidified his reputation as a reliable late-inning option, though his save total was lower than in previous seasons. In 2024, Diaz recorded 20 saves in 54 games with a 3.52 ERA, a decline from his 2022 season, when he had a 1.31 ERA and 32 saves in 61 appearances. His best season came in 2018 with the Seattle Mariners, where he saved 57 games with a 1.96 ERA in 73 games. Now with the Dodgers, Diaz is expected to serve as the full-time closer, a role that aligns with his strengths. The team’s recent struggles in the bullpen have created a need for a dependable closer, and Diaz’s track record suggests he could thrive in that position. If he consistently performs as a shutdown reliever for the Dodgers in 2026, leading the National League in saves would be a logical outcome.#los_angeles_dodgers #new_york_mets #mlb_com #edwin_diaz #kyle_tucker
Highest-Paid Reliever in 2026 MLB Season Sean Manaea of the New York Mets has been named the highest-paid reliever for the 2026 Major League Baseball season. The right-handed pitcher is set to earn an average salary of $25 million this year under a three-year contract worth $75 million. This will be the second-to-last year of his deal, after which he will become a free agent in 2028. Manaea, who joined the Mets in 2024, has transitioned from a starting role to a full-time reliever for 2026. Last season, he was limited to just 15 games as a starter, prompting the team to shift his role. Speaking about the change, Manaea expressed his preference for starting but acknowledged the team’s decision. “I consider myself a starter. To not be that is frustrating. But at the end of the day, I’m going to let my pitching do the work in whatever capacity that is and go from there,” he said during an interview at Clover Park. Manaea’s move to the bullpen is part of a broader trend of high-profile relievers securing lucrative contracts. Alongside him, Edwin Díaz, a former Mets teammate now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, is also among the top earners. Díaz is on a three-year deal that will pay him over $20 million in 2026. Other notable relievers include Tanner Scott, who will earn $18 million, and Devin Williams, who will make $17 million. Raisel Iglesias is set for $16 million. Josh Hader of the Houston Astros holds the most valuable contract among relievers, with a five-year, $95 million deal that runs through 2028. Hader’s agreement is the longest among top-paid relievers and ranks as the second-largest contract in the league. Tanner Scott’s $72 million deal with the Dodgers and Edwin Díaz’s $69 million contract follow closely behind.#los_angeles_dodgers #new_york_mets #clover_park #sean_manea #edwin_diaz
