Kike Hernandez reveals his role in Dodgers signing Edwin Diaz for $69M deal

Free agent utility player Kike Hernandez claims the Los Angeles Dodgers' pursuit of Edwin Diaz wasn't just front-office maneuvering. Hernandez indicated he helped facilitate the move by communicating with both parties, ultimately resulting in the three-year, $69 million deal.

Hernandez played the last three seasons for the Dodgers. He shed light on his role in the Dodgers' signing of Diaz during an interview with David Vassegh.

"I called Andrew (Friedman) (Dodgers executive) and I let him know that the interest was legit, that the Dodgers were not just leverage, and that we had a real opportunity of going after this guy and getting this guy. In my mind, the best closer in baseball right now," Kike Hernandez said (Timestamp: 6:04).

The 34-year-old Puerto Rican believes that his compatriot is the best closer in MLB. As such, Hernandez personally reached out to Diaz when the negotiations with the Dodgers became serious.

"I let him know that, at the end of the day, you've got to do what's best for you and your family," he added. "But the one thing that I can assure you is that if you end up with the Dodgers, you're not going to regret it one bit. You're going to be just fine. Your wife and kids are going to be just fine."

Both Hernandez and Diaz played for Puerto Rico in the 2017 and 2023 World Baseball Classic. They secured the silver medal in the 2017 tournament, losing to the USA in the finals.

Kike Hernandez points out "only bad thing" about the Dodgers organization

In the same conversation with David Vassegh, Kike Hernandez also disclosed to Edwin Diaz the only negative thing about the Dodgers, as far as a Puerto Rican player is concerned.

"I told them the worst thing about the Dodgers organization is that they're so far away from Puerto Rico," Hernandez said (Timestamp: 6:42)."And if that's the only thing that's bad about an organization, you know, you're in pretty good hands."

"The way that the Dodgers treat their people is the way that should be everywhere," he added. "But unfortunately, it's not. And lucky for us, we get to experience that, you know, for 162 games plus."

Edwin Diaz signed the three-year, $69 million deal with the Dodgers on Friday. The $23 million AAV (Annual Average Value) of the deal makes Diaz the highest-paid relief pitcher ever.

Moreover, the 31-year-old pitcher is a three-time Relief Pitcher of the Year Award winner. A three-time All-Star, he was an All-MLB first team selection in 2022.