Dodgers predicted to sign Padres' $3.9M All-Star flamethrower to create lethal duo with Ediwn Diaz

Dodgers predicted to sign Padres’ $3.9M All-Star flamethrower to create lethal duo with Ediwn Diaz originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers have spent the last few seasons signing some of the best free agents on the market, and unless a salary cap is introduced, they will likely continue doing so. The Dodgers are expected to pursue Tarik Skubal this winter as they look to strengthen their roster once again.

Last winter, they landed one of the best relievers available in Edwin Díaz.

“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,” ESPN wrote.

Pitching is always at the forefront of the organization’s plans. MLB Trade Rumors’ Darragh McDonald believes Los Angeles could sign San Diego Padres flamethrower Adrián Morejón.

“Morejon finished out the 2026 season with 86 innings — third-most among all relievers in baseball. Houston’s AJ Blubaugh — who frequently worked as a bulk arm behind an opener — and Milwaukee’s Aaron Ashby are the only two pitchers in the sport who logged more innings out of the bullpen. He’s accustomed to pitching multiple innings in high-leverage spots. Twenty-five of Morejon’s 76 appearances this year saw him record four or more outs. He topped out at two innings, which he covered on eight occasions. Morejon tallied 28 holds and three saves, and he ranked seventh among qualified relievers in win probability added,” McDonald wrote.

While Morejón would be a great addition to the Dodgers’ bullpen, it remains to be seen whether he will accept the qualifying offer or test free agency.

“The Padres have extended a qualifying offer to left-hander Adrian Morejon ahead of Monday’s deadline to do so. The move was something of a formality, with Morejon, 27, set to hit free agency in his prime as perhaps the top reliever available. He will have until Nov. 17 to accept or decline the offer, worth $23.15 million for one year,” MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell wrote.

If the Dodgers can pry Morejón away from San Diego, he and Díaz could form one of the best setup man and closer duos in the league. Having two pitchers who can come out of the bullpen in consecutive innings and consistently overpower hitters with their velocity would be a major advantage.

Morejón played on a $3.9 million deal with San Diego this season. Los Angeles is expected to be aggressive, and the opportunity to compete for a World Series title is always an attractive selling point for a player like Morejón.

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