While there was a time when signing Edwin Diaz was one of those dream scenarios this offseason that was fun to think about, the Atlanta Braves were really just hoping Diaz would end up somewhere that wasn't in their way. Annoying, Diaz is a very good reliever and was a big reason why the Mets have been such a headache the last few years. Thankfully, Diaz hit the free agent market and there was real hope Diaz would leave New York and be less of a hassle.
At least, that is what the Braves wanted to happen before it was revealed that Diaz may have signed somewhere that is even worse for Atlanta.
On Tuesday, news from the Winter Meetings started coming in fast. Not only did the Phillies reunite with Kyle Schwarber (which was annoying but also expected), but the Dodgers landed Diaz after reports emerged this week that LA was in on the star closer.
Edwin Diaz and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement on a deal, league source tells The Athletic.
— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) December 9, 2025
Edwin Diaz leaves Mets for the Dodgers may be a net-negative for the Braves
As soon as Atlanta brought back Raisel Iglesias, there was no real hope that the Braves would seriously pursue Diaz. The best thing fans could hope for is some American League team of debatable consequence paid him and kept him out of the Braves' way most of the time. That way, the Mets would be hurt and Atlanta wouldn't have to worry about him at the back end of important games.
Instead, Diaz ended up with the freaking Dodgers like all the big free agents seem to. He set a new AAV record for relievers in getting $23 million a year over three years from LA and now the Dodgers' bullpen looks legitimately scary especially if Tanner Scott turns things around.
Just like that, a team that Braves probably thought they couldn't hate any more somehow got even harder to like. Yes, the Mets being weakened is a good thing, but it may have come at the expense of making the Dodgers potentially unbeatable.