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Toronto Blue Jays lose out to Dodgers again as Los Angeles sign closer Edwin Diaz
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While the Blue Jays have improved their rotation, they have not yet landed a high-impact reliever.
They will have to continue to wait on that second part. It has been reported that Edwin Diaz, whom the Blue Jays were reportedly pursuing, has signed a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
ESPN's Jeff Passan has reported that the contract is worth $69MM, which would set a new record for a relief pitcher. Diaz also held the previous record for Average Annual Value (AAV) for a reliever with $20.4MM. He opted out of that contract last month.
Dodgers, RHP Edwin Diaz reportedly agree to deal, per multiple reports including MLB's @Feinsand.
It's another win for the Dodgers, who continue to build a super-team in a bid for their third straight World Series Championship.
With the signing, the Dodgers have addressed their biggest need. While their rotation is second-to-none, injuries depleted their bullpen to the point where manager Dave Roberts turned to four members of the starting rotation to secure the Game 7 victory over the Blue Jays.
Diaz has been an elite closer for years, and with Emmanuel Clase still on MLB's restricted list, he is now the de-facto top closer in the game.
Blue Jays could still turn to free agent market to find high-impact reliever.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays - who still have Jeff Hoffman signed for another two years - will have to look elsewhere to improve the back end of their bullpen.
In recent days, they have been connected to both Pete Fairbanks and Robert Suarez, the top relievers on the market behind Diaz.
The Hot Stove is certainly heating up.