Díaz had already received two contract offers -- one of three years from the Los Angeles Dodgers and another of five years from the Atlanta Braves. Díaz, though miffed by the Mets not alerting him before signing free agent reliever Devin Williams a few days before, still wanted to wait for an offer from his longtime team, sources told ESPN.
This time, the club agreed to a three-year, $45M contract with closer Robert Suarez. He will make $13M in 2026 and $16M in each of his remaining years. Previously with the San Diego Padres, 34-year-old Suarez put together what was arguably the best season of his career. In 2025, he managed a 2.97 ERA through 69.2 frames. He turned in 40 saves in 45 chances and recorded 9.69 strikeouts per nine innings. He's got 77 career saves to accompany his 219 strikeouts.
Hernández re-signed with the Dodgers last offseason on a three-year, $66 million contract to end what became a drawn-out free agency process. His deal included a $23 million signing bonus, $23.5 million in deferred salary, $15 million team option for the 2028 season or $6.5 million buyout. Thus, Hernández can earn a total of $81 million under his Dodgers contract.
Entering the offseason, two of the Cardinals' three pricey veterans - and Nolan Arenado - made clear that they were more willing to waive their no-trade clause this winter than they were last. Gray said he'd "definitely" consider the possibility after chatting with new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom about the team's direction. He's already been shipped to the Red Sox.