The New York Mets made Edwin Diaz the highest-paid closer in MLB history before free agency even began. While it keeps him in New York through the 2027 season, owner Steve Cohen will be paying Diaz long after he retires from baseball.
Diaz’s contract shattered the previous records for reliever salaries. Before he signed the deal, Raisel Iglesias ($16 million AAV) and Liam Hendriks ($14.333 million AAV) were the only relievers to earn more than $14 million annually on their contracts.
The 28-year-old also became the first closer to sign a $100 million contract, with the $102 million contract value nearly double Iglesias’ contract ($58 million) and twice as much as Hendriks signed for ($54 million) with the Chicago White Sox.
