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
