The Los Angeles Dodgers needed a closer in the offseason and got the best available in Edwin Díaz.
The three-time Reliever of the Year signed a three-year, $69 million deal with the back-to-back champions, but has been terrible. He missed most of the season after surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow. However, when he has been on the field, it's been a disaster.
He has blown four saves in 16 games and has an ERA of 11.85. On Thursday, he blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers, in what could prove to be a very costly loss. Dave Roberts has committed to sticking with him as the closer, but noted that he does not see any better options in his bullpen right now.
Monday presented an opportunity for Díaz to get right. Roberts brought him out in the ninth inning of an 11-2 game against the Colorado Rockies. Díaz allowed four hits and three earned runs, and even hit a batter. He did not record a single strikeout.
Colorado is not an easy place to pitch, but this is about how the season has gone for Díaz. Monday night was a pressure-free inning for the veteran closer, but he still could not find success. At this point, the Dodgers have to start thinking about stripping him of closer duties.
Roberts may think he does not have a better option, but Tanner Scott would be leaps and bounds better than Díaz as of late. In reality, Díaz is pitching so poorly that the Dodgers cannot trust him in any inning, let alone in a postseason inning.