Yankees Are Favorites to Steal $102 Million Free Agent From Rival
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Can the Yankees land the belle of the free agency ball?
The New York Yankees have a few holes to fill and many options to consider. The offseason is in full swing, bringing a boatload of rumors and speculation along with it.
One move could change the Yankees’ fortunes in 2025. In fact, they are among the top favorites to land several pitching stars that could bolster their rotation and bullpen.
Closer Edwin Diaz is one of the top relievers on the market, and the Yankees are listed at +300 to scoop up the New York Mets‘ arm (according to BetOnline). Just ahead of them in the odds are the reigning World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Edwin Diaz Fills a Need for the New York Yankees
Looking at what the Yankees need heading into the 2026 regular season, pitching is at the top of the list. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden revealed the holes in the Yankees roster earlier in November.
“When they are all healthy, the Yankees’ rotation will include Max Fried, Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil, Cam Schlittler, Clarke Schmidt, Will Warren, and Allan Winans,” Bowden wrote on November 5, 2025. “That’s not a group that needs improvement. Devin Williams and Luke Weaver are free agents, and improving the quality and depth of the bullpen is a key need for the Yankees.”
Devin Williams is warming up to the idea of joining the Dodgers after things didn’t end well in New York. Diaz would be a massive addition to the Yankees bullpen.
Diaz finished the 2025 season with a solid statline. In 66.1 innings pitched he recorded 28 saves, 98 strikeouts, a 0.87 WHIP, and a 1.63 ERA. He only allowed four home runs off of 37 hits surrendered.
Comparing that to the Yankees bullpen of 2025 reveals that Diaz would be a great upgrade. If he was on the Yankees for the 2025 season, amongst relievers who have played at least 10 games, he would rank first in saves, first in strikeouts, first in WHIP, and first in ERA.
Edwin Diaz’s $102 Million Request
If Diaz and the Yankees linking up is a possibility, discussing the money involved would be prudent. A new report has surfaced about the kind of dollars that the veteran closer is asking for.
“Díaz, who turns 32 in March, is coming off one of his best seasons, one in which he produced a 1.63 ERA with a 38 percent strikeout rate and 8.1 percent walk rate in 66 1/3 innings,” Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon wrote for The Athletic on November 12th. “The deal he wants, according to a person briefed on his wishes, is essentially the same one the Mets gave him the last time.”
The two scribes remind their readers that when Diaz signed with the Jets, he became the highest paid reliever ever.
“When Edwin Díaz signed his five-year, $102 million contract with the New York Mets in November 2022, it was the largest in history for a reliever,” Rosenthal and Sammon wrote. “Díaz, though, reached that agreement before becoming a free agent.”
Because this will likely be the last time that he can chase the bag, Diaz wants to make it count. According to these writers, he’s the kind of player that is tough to find.
“Difference-makers of his caliber are difficult to find.”
Regardless of what happens, it will be interesting to see how Diaz’s situation plays out. If he joins the Dodgers (or another club) the Yankees will be forced to pivot. And if he joins the Yankees, management can check off one item on their winter to-do list.
Buccaneers Get Encouraging Injury Update on 1,000-Yard RB
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving.
There might finally be light at the end of the tunnel for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when it comes to injured running back Bucky Irving.
The Buccaneers offense has been without Irving for the last 5 games, since a Week 4 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on September 28 due to a variety of injuries, although a shoulder injury has been of the most concern.
“Possibly big Bucs news,” Tampa Bay Times reporter Rick Stroud wrote on his official X account on Wednesday, November 12. “RB Bucky Irving is participating in the walk thru practice. G Ben Bredeson also working. Irving has not played since Sept. 28 due to foot and shoulder injuries.”
The Buccaneers are 6-3 headed into a brutal pair of road games coming up with a trip to face the Buffalo Bills in Week 11 before heading all the way across the country to face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12.
Irving, who rushed for over 1,000 yards as a rookie, has been sorely missed.
While the Buccaneers have made up the slack at wide receiver with Chris Godwin, Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan out with injuries, it’s been harder to do that with Rachaad White stepping in for Irving.
“Todd Bowles said it was good to see Bucky Irving on the practice field but he was limited and it was just a walk-through,” Buccaneers.com’s Scott Smith wrote on his official X account. “Needs to see Irving in a full-speed practice before making any proclamations about a timetable for his return.”
Sophomore Season Falls Flat for Irving
While Irving’s follow up too a bravura rookie campaign has fallen flat to this point, he has the advantage of playing on a team that’s in first place in the NFC South Division — with a 2-game lead at that — and could very well be a dark horse contender if everyone comes back healthy over the next month who has been injured.
Right now, the perception of Irving is that rookie year was just a flash in the pan.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon called Irving the “Most Disappointing Player” on the roster in 2025.
“After averaging 5.4 yards per rush as a rookie, Irving has seen that number decline to 3.3 in 2025,” Gagnon wrote on October 24. “Only one qualified back is below that. He’s also yet to score a rushing touchdown.”
Irving had a season high 165 yards of total offense agains the Eagles — 15 carries for 63 yards and 5 receptions for 102 yards. That kind of production can flip games like the 28-23 home loss to the New England Patriots in Week 10.
Buccaneers Getting Big Production From Rookies
Right now, it seems like the only legitimate weapon 2-time Pro Bowl quarterback Baker Mayfield has on offense he can rely on is 2025 first round pick (No. 19 overall) and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.
Egbuka, possibly the frontrunner to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, leads the Buccaneers and is ninth in the NFL in receiving with 40 receptions for 677 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The Buccaneers have also gotten a boost lately from their final pick in the 2025 draft with rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson.
“There are just two rookies across the NFL this season with 250+ receiving yards and 4+ receiving touchdowns through Week 10 … Both are Buccaneers drafted by Jason Licht,” Buccaneers Communications wrote on its official X account on November 10. “Emeka Egbuka (pick No. 19) & Tez Johnson (No. 235).”
