Ex-Mets closer Edwin Diaz introduced in Los Angeles as a Dodger: 'I'm really happy to be here'
Edwin Díaz speaks during his introduction as a new member of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday in Los Angeles. Credit: AP/Ethan Swope
A few minutes after he slipped on a Dodgers jersey with No. 3 on it, Edwin Diaz said, “I’m really happy to be here. Let’s go Dodgers.”
Diaz probably didn’t mean to use a West Coast riff on the famous “Let’s Go Mets” chant — a lot of teams put “Let’s Go” before their nicknames — but it had to stick in the craw of Mets fans who are shocked that he left Flushing to join the two-time defending World Series champions.
Diaz said only complimentary things about his seven-year stint with the Mets on Friday afternoon at his introductory news conference at Dodger Stadium.
That Diaz’s introduction started minutes after Pete Alonso’s news conference in Baltimore ended was a double whammy for Mets fans who chose to watch online.
“I want to say thank you to the Mets’ organization for what they did for me in the last years,” Diaz said. “Really, really happy with what I did there. Now we are in a new family. We are in the Dodgers. I came here to win. That’s my goal, to try to win another World Series with this great team.”
The Mets, who missed the playoffs in 2025, hope to become a perennial World Series contender. The Dodgers already are that, obviously, and adding Diaz to the closer role only strengthens Los Angeles’ chance for a three-peat.
Is that why Diaz chose the Dodgers for three years and $69 million without giving the Mets the chance to raise their last offer of three years and $66 million, as has been reported?
He wasn’t asked about that, but he was asked how difficult it was to leave the Mets. Diaz said it “wasn’t easy” but added that once he made his decision, it was “pretty easy” to sign with the Dodgers.
“I spent seven years in New York,” Diaz said. “They treated me really good. They treated me great. I chose the Dodgers because they are a winning organization. I’m looking to win and I think they have everything to win. So to pick the Dodgers was pretty easy.”
Diaz said he chose No. 3 after consulting with his wife because he has three children. His old Mets number, 39, is retired with the Dodgers for Hall of Famer Roy Campanella.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes called Diaz “a selfless superstar” and said he expects the closer to fit well into the Los Angeles clubhouse.
Diaz’s brother Alexis, who is a free agent, pitched in nine games for the Dodgers last season. Edwin said his brother told him good things about the Dodgers’ staff.
And yes, Diaz plans to use Timmy Trumpet’s “Narco” as his entrance music at Dodger Stadium. Avert your ears, Mets fans.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
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