Browsing: closer

The Los Angeles Dodgers got the best closer on the free agent market Tuesday, reaching a three-year, $69 million deal with former New York Mets reliever Edwin Diaz, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Jorge Castillo on Tuesday.

The deal by the Dodgers, who were targeting bullpen help this winter, set an average annual value record for a relief pitcher.

The Mets’ final offer to Diaz was for less than the $69 million he received from the Dodgers, according to sources.

Diaz, a three-time All-Star, logged a 1.63 ERA and converted 28 of 31 save chances for the Mets last season. With an elite combination of a high-velocity fastball and vicious slider, Diaz, 31, has posted high strikeout rates throughout his career. In 2025, Diaz struck out 98 in 66â…“ innings while walking just 14 batters.

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The Dodgers went into the offseason with a clear need in the back end of the bullpen after their relievers combined for a 4.27 ERA and blew 27 saves, tied for the seventh most in the majors. The state of their bullpen was so bad heading into October that the Dodgers used their starting-pitching depth to supplement it, transitioning Roki Sasaki to closer while using the likes of Emmet Sheehan, Justin Wrobleski and, at times, Tyler Glasnow in relief roles.

Diaz now solidifies the ninth inning, with Tanner Scott, who the Dodgers hope will bounce back from a disastrous first season in L.A., lined up as his setup man. The likes of Alex Vesia, Blake Treinen, Anthony Banda and Brusdar Graterol, the latter of whom is coming back from shoulder surgery, headline what the organization believes to be a deep crop of relievers.

“Getting a high-leverage reliever is never a bad thing,” manager Dave Roberts told reporters Monday at the MLB winter meetings in Orlando, Florida.

Now that their biggest need has been addressed, the Dodgers are expected to target an outfielder, likely via trade.

Diaz opted out of the two-year, $38 million guarantee that remained on the five-year deal he signed to remain with the Mets in 2022. The contract was considered a rare five-year commitment to a relief pitcher, but it ended after three seasons once he decided to test the open market.

Diaz was tendered a $22.025 million qualifying offer by the Mets, which he declined by the Nov. 18 deadline. Because he signed with a new team, New York will receive a compensatory draft pick after the fourth round.

The Mets on Dec. 1 signed Devin Williams to a three-year, $51 million deal as an insurance policy should Diaz go elsewhere.

Diaz’s time with the Mets was marked by wild year-to-year swings. He posted an ERA under 2.00 three times but in other years was at 3.45 or worse, blowing six saves or more in each of those three campaigns.

Diaz missed the 2023 season altogether after suffering a serious knee injury while celebrating a save in that year’s World Baseball Classic. The Mets acquired him in 2018 as part of a seven-player trade with the Seattle Mariners.

His 253 career saves since entering the majors in 2016 are tied with Raisel Iglesias for second — behind Kenley Jansen (334) during that span, according to ESPN Research.

ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle and Alden Gonzalez contributed to this report.

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The Edwin Diaz news even caught Devin Williams by surprise.

The newly signed reliever expected the Mets to be able to retain their star closer in free agency, pairing them to form a dynamic one-two punch at the backend of the bullpen.

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However, as things have played out, Diaz ended up taking slightly more money to join the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers on a three-year pact on Tuesday.

Williams will now instead be handed the mighty tall task of filling the huge void left behind in the backend of New Yorkâ€s bullpen following Diazâ€s departure.

While the 31-year-old is coming off a bit of an up-and-down campaign with the Yankees, David Stearns voiced his confidence in him taking over the role.

“Weâ€re very comfortable with that,†Stearns said. “Iâ€ve seen Devin perform at a very high level for a long time. I have full confidence that he can be one of the best relievers in baseball. I think heâ€s very motivated to do that, and Iâ€m looking forward to watching that.â€

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Though Williams is receiving the first shot with not many other experienced options on the roster as currently constructed, he knows heâ€ll still have to go out and earn the role.

Whether he ends up with the ball in the eighth or ninth, heâ€s taking the same approach.

“Iâ€ve always looked at it as itâ€s the same job,†Williams said on SNYâ€s Mets Hot Stove from the Winter Meetings on Tuesday. “Youâ€re going out there to get three outs, five outs, whatever it may be — just whatever the team needs you to do.â€

Stearns wouldnâ€t reveal if the team was still in the market for another backend bullpen piece, but he did say theyâ€ll continue to build the bullpen in numerous ways.

Robert Suarez and Pete Fairbanks are two of the top relievers remaining on the market.

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The New York Mets have agreed to a three-year contract with former Yankees closer and two-time All-Star reliever Devin Williams, Yahoo Sports’ Russell Dorsey confirms.

The Athleticand ESPN first reported the news. Per ESPN’s Jeff Passan,the contract is worth more than $50 million in guaranteed money.

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Williams, 30, was one of baseball’s best relievers during a six-year stint with the Milwaukee Brewers. He made two All-Star teams while posting a 1.83 ERA with 375 strikeouts and 112 walks in 235 2/3 innings pitched during his Brewers stint. He took over as closer in his last three seasons in Milwaukee and recorded 68 total saves.

The Yankees acquired Williams and his airbender changeup in a blockbuster trade last offseason, sending pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr., infield prospect Caleb Durbin and cash in return to Milwaukee. Williams now leaves the Yankees to join the crosstown rival Mets after a disappointing season in the Bronx.

Williams, 31, struggled out of the gate with the Yankees and was demoted from his closing job after 10 games. His performance improved over the summer, and he regained the role later in the season, but he finished the campaign with a career-worst 4.79 ERA and 1.129 WHIP while tallying 18 saves in 62 innings pitched. He closed 29 of the 67 regular-season games in which he appeared.

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Williams finished the regular season strong. He didnâ€t allow a run in 22 of his final 23 outings and pitched four scoreless innings in the postseason for the Yankees. The Mets will certainly be hoping that version of Williams shows up in Queens.

The Mets are signing Williams as veteran closer Edwin Díaz is also a free agent. A reunion between Díaz and the Mets remains possible, but the three-time All-Star, who was at his best this past season, is expected to command a lucrative contract on the open market. Williams is Yahoo Sports’ No. 27 free agent this winter. Díaz is ranked No. 11.

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Ryan Helsley and the Baltimore Orioles have reportedly agreed to a two-year contract, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The deal is worth $28 million, according to The Athletic’s Katie Woo, and features a player opt-out clause after the 2026 MLB season.

The 31-year-old Helsley recorded 21 saves last season between his time with the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets.

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All 21 saves, however, came with the Cardinals before he was traded in July to the Mets. In New York, he pitched 20 innings in 22 games as a reliever with Edwin Diaz firmly entrenched in the closer’s role.

Helsley has pitched in seven seasons after being a fifth-round draft pick by the Cardinals in 2015 out of Northeastern State.

Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said during the annual GM Meetings in Las Vegas earlier this month that a reliever with closing experience was high on his off-season priorities list. Félix Bautista will be out of action until late summer following right shoulder surgery, meaning the closer’s job was up for grabs.

What’s left for Elias? He’s taken care of the veteran hitter need after sending pitcher Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Angels for Taylor Ward. Next up would be a frontline starting pitcher.

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“My stated goal is to see if we can add somebody that fits into that tier,†Elias said. “That would be Plan A for our rotation.â€

The Orioles finished last in the AL East in 2025 with a 75-87 record and missed the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. After a down year, ownership has signaled its intention to spend this winter, hoping that the investment pays off with a return of playoff baseball.

“This is a group thatâ€s really enabling us to invest,” Elias said. “Weâ€re going to go out in the market, see what weâ€re able to do to improve the team. But weâ€ll definitely be behaving as buyers this season, whether itâ€s free agency or trade.â€

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Derek Shomon closer to family as White Sox hitting coach

\n\n”,”providerName”:”Twitter”,”providerUrl”:” will look for a place in Chicago to alleviate those 60-mile in-season commutes, but this new employment locale brings much more time with his wife and son. Even when he was working with the independent-ball Schaumburg Boomers, where he began as a bullpen catcher 14 seasons ago, there were extended stretches of being hours away on the road.\n\n“Itâ€s an unbelievable opportunity to know there are periods where I donâ€t have to wait multiple weeks, sometimes months, to see them. That part is super exciting,†Derek said. “Not everybody gets to do this, gets to have baseball as their job. Thatâ€s something I have fought for. I made a decision long ago as I was figuring out my way.\n\n“I knew I wanted baseball as a career. 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For the better part of the season, the Florida Panthers have hung around the bottom of the Atlantic Division standings, despite not being separated by many points.

But, a recent strong stretch with more consistent performances has reintroduced the Panthers back into the division race, and now they sit just four points back of the division-leading Detroit Red Wings with two games in hand.

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There are still teams between the Panthers and Red Wings. The Boston Bruins sit in second with 26 points, three more than the Panthers, but the Panthers have three games in hand. The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Ottawa Senators sit one point ahead of the Panthers with the same number of games played.

The Montreal Canadiens are currently tied with the Panthers for 23 points, and the Toronto Maple Leafs sit two points back. The Buffalo Sabres sit in last in the Atlantic with 20 points.

The division is very tight, and there has been plenty of movement in the standings through the first 20 games or so, but the Panthers have the experience to take advantage of the opportunities given to them.

The Panthers are about to enter a stretch of games against teams on the outside looking in, when referring to the playoffs, and it’s time they go on a run. It all starts tonight with a rematch against the Edmonton Oilers before matchups with the Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, Maple Leafs, Predators and Columbus Blue Jackets.

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Sergei Bobrovsky will be in between the pipes tonight when the Panthers host Connor McDavid and the Oilers.

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ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves have addressed one of their offseason priorities by re-signing closer Raisel Iglesias to a $16 million, one-year contract.

Atlanta announced the deal on Wednesday. The 35-year-old right-hander had completed a $58 million, four-year contract that paid him $16 million in each of the last three seasons.

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The Braves also acquired Mauricio Dubón from the Houston Astros for Nick Allen in an exchange of infielders.

Dubón, 31, appeared in 133 games with Houston last season and batted .241 while earning his second Gold Glove, each time as a utility infielder. He also won a Gold Glove in 2023.

Dubón had a $5 million salary this year and is eligible for salary arbitration. He can become a free agent after the World Series.

Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Dubón can play all over the infield and outfield, and his role will be determined by what other moves the team makes this offseason. Anthopoulos said the Braves still may pursue a shortstop.

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“I told him I donâ€t know what your role is going to be yet, but the fact that we have the flexibility to play him all over … heâ€s just a good piece,†Anthopoulos said.

Allen is eligible for arbitration for the first time and can become a free agent after the 2029 season.

Iglesias had 29 saves in 34 chances in 2025, finishing strong after an uneven start. Iglesias posted a 4.42 ERA in 39 games in the first half before a dominant finish. He recorded a 1.76 ERA in the second half and was successful on his final 18 save opportunities after July 28.

It was the longest streak without a blown save to close the season in the majors.

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“We knew we needed to address closer one way or the other and who better than somebody we know,†Anthopoulos said. “He wanted to be here. His first choice was to be back in Atlanta. Iâ€m glad we were able to get it done.â€

Overall, Iglesias had a 3.21 ERA. His 29 saves ranked ninth in the majors and fourth in the National League.

The deal with Iglesias frees Anthopoulos to focus on other offseason needs.

Iglesias, a native of Cuba, became the 40th pitcher with 250 career saves on Sept. 16 against Washington. He became one of just five active relievers to reach the milestone. He finished the season with 253 career saves.

Overall, in four seasons with Atlanta, Iglesias has a 2.35 ERA. He began his career with Cincinnati in 2015 and pitched for the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 and 2022.

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The Atlanta Braves upgraded their defense and stabilized the back of their bullpen with a pair of transactions late Wednesday.

First, they announced they’d retained closer Raisel Iglesias on a one-year, $16 million deal. Then they announcedthey’d acquired Gold Glove utility player Mauricio Dubón in a trade with the Houston Astros. The Braves sent infielder Nick Allen to Houston in return for Dubón.

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The deal with Iglesias ensures they’ll retain their closer of the last three seasons. Iglesias was a free agent whom Yahoo Sports ranked as the 45th-best player available on the market.

Raisel Iglesias has a one-year, $16 million deal to remain with the Braves.

(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

What Iglesias offers

Iglesias, who will be 36 next season, had his worst season in Atlanta, with a 3.21 ERA, 73 strikeouts and 16 walks in 67 1/3 innings pitched. He tallied 29 saves.

Iglesias had posted a 1.95 ERA and 34 saves in 2024 and a 2.75 ERA and 33 saves in 2023 in his two full seasons with Atlanta. But much of Iglesias’ relative struggles in 2025 came at the front end of the campaign.

Iglesias allowed six home runs across his first 25 appearances last season and had a 6.75 ERA in early June. He finished the season from there with a 1.25 ERA over the course of 43 1/3 innings while allowing just two more home runs. Atlanta’s surely hoping that’s the version of Iglesias who shows up in 2026.

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Why Braves traded for Dubón

In Dubón, the Braves obtain a versatile utility player who just secured his second Gold Glove.

Dubón, 31, is capable of playing at a high level in the infield and outfield. He played 15 games or more at each of second base, shortstop, third base and in the outfield last season in 133 games and thrived across the board, earning his second Gold Glove in three seasons.

At the plate, Dubón slashed .241/.289/.355 with 7 home runs, 33 RBI and 3 stolen bases in 2025. He’s a career .257/.295/.374 hitter across seven MLB seasons.

In Allen, the Astros acquire a four-season veteran who was a third-round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. Allen, 27, slashed .221/.284/.251 with 22 RBI and 8 stolen bases in 135 games played primarily at shortstop. He did not hit a home run and has nine for his career. He was a Gold Glove finalist at shortstop.

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Nov 19, 2025, 08:17 PM ET

ATLANTA — The Braves have addressed one of their offseason priorities by re-signing closer Raisel Iglesias to a one-year, $16 million contract.

Atlanta announced the deal Wednesday.

Iglesias, a 35-year-old right-hander, had completed a four-year, $58 million contract that paid him $16 million in each of the past three seasons.

The Braves also acquired two-time Gold Glove winner Mauricio Dubon from the Houston Astros for Nick Allen in an exchange of infielders.

Dubon, 31, appeared in 133 games with Houston last season and batted .241 while earning his second Gold Glove, each time as a utility infielder. He also won the award in 2023.

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Dubon had a $5 million salary this year, and he is eligible for salary arbitration. He can become a free agent after the 2026 World Series.

Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Dubon can play all over the infield and outfield, and that his role will be determined by what other moves the team makes this offseason. Anthopoulos said the Braves still might pursue a shortstop.

“I told him I don’t know what your role is going to be yet, but the fact that we have the flexibility to play him all over … he’s just a good piece,” Anthopoulos said of Dubon.

Allen, 27, is eligible for arbitration for the first time and can become a free agent after the 2029 season.

Iglesias, 35, hit free agency after a slightly down season for the Braves in which his ERA rose to 3.21 after posting a 1.95 ERA in 2024. But he finished strong following an uneven start. After posting a 4.42 ERA in 39 games in the first half, he recorded a 1.76 ERA in the second half and was successful on his final 18 save opportunities after July 28.

It was the longest streak without a blown save to close the season in the majors. Iglesias finished with 29 saves in 34 chances.

“We knew we needed to address closer one way or the other and who better than somebody we know,” Anthopoulos said. “He wanted to be here. His first choice was to be back in Atlanta. I’m glad we were able to get it done.”

A major aspect that changed in 2025 for Iglesias was less reliance on his slider and his changeup, going from 52% of pitches he threw in 2024 to 38% in 2025. Both pitches were notably less effective by Baseball Savant’s run value number, which puts a run value on every occurrence of throwing a pitch based on its outcome, collectively going from plus-13 runs in 2024 to minus-10 runs in 2025.

Since 2017, when Iglesias became a full-time closer, he is third in baseball in reliever WAR (11.8), behind only Edwin Diaz and Josh Hader. Iglesias is second in saves (247), behind Kenley Jansen.

Iglesias spent the first six seasons of his pro career with the Cincinnati Reds, who signed the Cuban-born pitcher in June 2014 as an international free agent. He made his pro debut in 2015 and starred for the Reds before leaving in free agency for the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, when he received a four-year, $58 million deal and finished 11th in American League Cy Young Award voting.

The Angels sent Iglesias to the Braves at the 2022 trade deadline. Over parts of four seasons as the closer, he posted 97 saves, a 15-12 record and a 2.35 ERA.

ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff provided an update defenseman Michael Kesselring, who left the Sabres 5-4 overtime victory over Detroit on Saturday early in the third period and was seen walking in a boot on Monday.

“He’s gonna be out an extended period of time, on the longer side……weeks,†Ruff said after the clubâ€s practice on Tuesday.

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Kesselring was the main piece in the Sabres trade with Utah for winger JJ Peterka in June, but his Sabres career thus far has been hampered by injury. He missed a month after suffering an unspecified injury near the end of training camp, and after returning in late October, he played eight games before being sidelined again.

Jacob Bryson took Kesselringâ€s spot in the lineup against Edmonton, playing the left side while Owen Power shifted to his off-side on Monday.

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Ruff also provided some optimistic news on winger Zach Benson, who was also seen walking in the press box wearing a protective boot on Monday.

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“I talked to him this morning,†Ruff said. “I think heâ€ll join the morning skate (on Tuesday), so heâ€ll be that close.â€

The 20-year-old had a quick start this season after recovering from an infection of a facial cut that required an overnight hospital stay. Benson had eight assists in eight games before suffering a lower-body injury.

Center Josh Norris and winger Jason Zucker participated in practice wearing grey non-contact jerseys on Tuesday, and Ruff indicated on Monday that the veteran winger could be available as soon as this weekend, when the Sabres play Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday and the Carolina Hurricanes in a rare Sunday afternoon matinee.

Follow Michael on X, Instagram  @MikeInBuffalo

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