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Can the Yankees land the belle of the free agency ball?
The New York Yankees have a few holes to fill and many options to consider. The offseason is in full swing, bringing a boatload of rumors and speculation along with it.
One move could change the Yankees’ fortunes in 2025. In fact, they are among the top favorites to land several pitching stars that could bolster their rotation and bullpen.
Closer Edwin Diaz is one of the top relievers on the market, and the Yankees are listed at +300 to scoop up the New York Mets‘ arm. Just ahead of them in the odds are the reigning World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Edwin Diaz Fills a Need for the New York Yankees
Looking at what the Yankees need heading into the 2026 regular season, pitching is at the top of the list. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden revealed the holes in the Yankees roster earlier in November.
“When they are all healthy, the Yankees’ rotation will include Max Fried, Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil, Cam Schlittler, Clarke Schmidt, Will Warren, and Allan Winans,” Bowden wrote on November 5, 2025. “That’s not a group that needs improvement. Devin Williams and Luke Weaver are free agents, and improving the quality and depth of the bullpen is a key need for the Yankees.”
Devin Williams is warming up to the idea of joining the Dodgers after things didn’t end well in New York. Diaz would be a massive addition to the Yankees bullpen.
Diaz finished the 2025 season with a solid statline. In 66.1 innings pitched he recorded 28 saves, 98 strikeouts, a 0.87 WHIP, and a 1.63 ERA. He only allowed four home runs off of 37 hits surrendered.
Comparing that to the Yankees bullpen of 2025 reveals that Diaz would be a great upgrade. If he was on the Yankees for the 2025 season, amongst relievers who have played at least 10 games, he would rank first in saves, first in strikeouts, first in WHIP, and first in ERA.
Edwin Diaz’s $102 Million Request
If Diaz and the Yankees linking up is a possibility, discussing the money involved would be prudent. A new report has surfaced about the kind of dollars that the veteran closer is asking for.
“Díaz, who turns 32 in March, is coming off one of his best seasons, one in which he produced a 1.63 ERA with a 38 percent strikeout rate and 8.1 percent walk rate in 66 1/3 innings,” Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon wrote for The Athletic on November 12th. “The deal he wants, according to a person briefed on his wishes, is essentially the same one the Mets gave him the last time.”
The two scribes remind their readers that when Diaz signed with the Jets, he became the highest paid reliever ever.
“When Edwin Díaz signed his five-year, $102 million contract with the New York Mets in November 2022, it was the largest in history for a reliever,” Rosenthal and Sammon wrote. “Díaz, though, reached that agreement before becoming a free agent.”
Because this will likely be the last time that he can chase the bag, Diaz wants to make it count. According to these writers, he’s the kind of player that is tough to find.
“Difference-makers of his caliber are difficult to find.”
Regardless of what happens, it will be interesting to see how Diaz’s situation plays out. If he joins the Dodgers (or another club) the Yankees will be forced to pivot. And if he joins the Yankees, management can check off one item on their winter to-do list.
Caleb Kerney Caleb covers the NHL for Heavy.com. He has covered professional hockey since 2022, including bylines at Dobber Prospects, The Hockey Writers, and The Hockey News. More about Caleb Kerney
