The Dodgers landed free agency’s top reliever on a three-year, $69MM contract last week. It wasn’t the reported five-year, $100MM deal which Edwin Díaz had sought going into the offseason, but the $23MM average annual value allowed him to break his own record for tops among relief pitchers.
The incumbent Mets reportedly weren’t keen on going beyond three years either. However, Díaz evidently had at least one team that was willing to pay him for his ages 32-36 seasons. ESPN’s Jorge Castillo reported this week that the Braves made a five-year proposal. Salary details and the contract structure aren’t known. In any case, whatever the Braves offered wasn’t enough for Díaz to prefer it to the (presumably much higher) annual value that the Dodgers put on the table.
Details on a team’s unsuccessful free agent pursuit can sometimes provide a hint for where they’ll go next. This one is probably little more than a footnote, as the Braves moved quickly once Díaz came off the board. They signed Robert Suarez to a three-year, $45MM contract two days later. Atlanta spent another $20MM to bring back Ha-Seong Kim on a one-year deal this week. They’re now projected above the $244MM luxury tax threshold, with RosterResource estimating their CBT commitments around $256MM. The Braves paid the luxury tax in 2023 and ’24 but dipped below the line this year.
The Díaz offer at least confirms that the Braves aren’t opposed to giving up draft capital. The three-time All-Star had rejected a qualifying offer from the Mets. Atlanta would forfeit the 26th overall pick in next year’s draft to sign a qualified free agent. That’s the bonus selection they received from the Prospect Promotion Incentive thanks to Drake Baldwin winning Rookie of the Year. The Braves would also surrendered $500K from their international amateur bonus pool in 2027. They did not lose a pick for Suarez, who did not receive a QO from the Padres.
That may also be a moot point if the Suarez and Kim signings took up the remainder of the budget. If they’re willing to continue spending, there are still six qualified free agents. The Braves aren’t signing Kyle Tucker or Bo Bichette, but any of the four starting pitchers — Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez, Zac Gallen or Michael King — would be a sensible fit on paper.
The Braves have made four big free agent signings and one notable trade but have yet to do anything to solidify a rotation that was wrecked by injuries. They can’t assume that their top five of Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, Hurston Waldrep and Reynaldo López are going to stay healthy. A depth group led by Bryce Elder and Didier Fuentes isn’t sufficient. Adding a mid-rotation arm should be the priority now that they’ve addressed the bullpen and shortstop.
I think he regrets that in 3 years
Who cares that’s in the past. He only wanted LA.
Yes hopefully they play the trumpets for him in LA
Yep, it has already been announced that Timmy Trumpet will be making appearances in LA.
It’s literally in the future.
He has money. Giving himself the best chance to win a ring in a good organization that treats their well might be worth the extra years to him.
I think Diaz basically preferred LA to NYC, ATL, or anywhere else.
His brother played a part in his decision-making. Alexis had nothing but praise for the organization and how they treat players.
With over $150 M in the bank by then, the only way he “regrets” it is if the Braves knock down another WS win and the Dodgers don’t.
regrets?? he’s had a few.
But then again too few to mention…
But now the time has come.
Braves probably made out better in the deal
5 years on a reliever and give up a pick??? I doubt it
That’s too much for a reliever.
Well what about Josh Hader’s 5 years
Guy wants a ring. What can you do?
I would love one more starting pitcher, then whoever is not in top 5 we could put in bullpen making it stronger.
How many pitchers have gone to the Dodgers and NOT gotten injured? Any?
Kind of a vicious cycle, they sign guys, they get injured, they sign more guys.
I mean they all get paid and they win so there it is.
I love to criticise this team and their FO but then they win another WS and I should just keep my mouth shut because a winning organisation is always right.
How many pitchers go to the Dodgers, pitch well, get injured, and still come out of the season with a ring for their effort?
Pitching injuries are not unique to the Dodgers.
Just more common.
Any superstar that goes to LA now is a coward
and…and a b-word!
And any loser who goes to your team is a fool.
In your world all superstars should sign with the bottom 3-5 teams?
BS..no way AA had that drawn out.
Hear,,,hear. Go Braves!
Just another sell out. Can’t wait for the Smurfs to destroy his arm too!
And get him a ring.
Not enough deferred money for his liking 😉
Diaz: This is my ring from when the Dodgers won the third time.
Anyone else: You were on that team? Huh. Cool. Congratulations.
Clearly wanted to go to the Dodgers and win
If the Braves are going to spend for a SP, I want them to go after Imai.
If they are ok with giving up the 26th pick, Valdez or Suarez would be worth it. I personally don’t think Gallen or King are worth giving up the pick.
Bassitt would be ok on a 1 year deal.
Want to do an interesting study?
– Look at all the pitchers over the past 25 years that have had knee surgery that required rehab of 3+ months.
– Follow those same pitchers for the 3 seasons after the surgery.
– How many had shoulder issues that required IL trips?
– How many had UCL issues that required IL trips?
– How many had multiple IL trips in the 3 seasons after returning from surgery?
Another botched take by Franco on the Braves rotation, especially in his depth ranking. Failed to mention either of Holmes or Ritchie. Both easily trump Fuentes in the pecking order, w/Holmes above Elder as well. Ritchie might be too, and probably has a better than even chance of taking the 5th spot over Elder.
$20m for Ha-Seong Kim still might be the stupidest deal I’ve ever seen. In the realm of Stearns giving Montas $17m a year.
Agreed…as dumb as it gets