Izzo is in his 31st season with the Spartans, who are ranked ninth with an 8-1 record this season.
How the Dodgers landed Edwin Díaz — and finally found a bona fide closer
At the start of the winter, the assumption was that top free-agent closer Edwin Díaz would fall out of the Dodgers’ preferred price range.
Knowing they needed bullpen help, however, the Dodgers decided to reach out with interest anyway.
What followed will go down as one of the most surprising outcomes of this MLB offseason. And, for the Dodgers, their latest in a string of big-name, star-player acquisitions.
Even though the Dodgers initially had doubts about their chances of landing Díaz — especially on the kind of relatively shorter-term deal they were seeking in their hunt for relief help — circumstances changed, Díaz’s market evolved, and they went from dark horse to front-runner.
Read more:Why Dodgers face a ‘delicate’ situation with their Japanese stars ahead of the WBC
On Friday, it all culminated in a Dodger Stadium news conference, the once-unexpected union between the two-time defending champions and three-time All-Star right-hander being made official as Díaz’s three-year, $69-million contract was finalized.
“It wasn’t easy,” Díaz said of his free agent process, which ended with him leaving the New York Mets after a decorated seven-year stint. “I spent seven years in New York. They treated me really good. They treated me great. But I chose the Dodgers because they are a winning organization. I’m looking to win, and I think they have everything to win. So picking the Dodgers was pretty easy.”
That didn’t mean it came as any less of a surprise.
Early on this winter, the Dodgers signaled a hesitancy to hand out another long-term contract to a reliever, after watching Tanner Scott struggle in the first season of the four-year, $72-million deal he signed last winter.
And though they gradually grew more open to the idea, giving serious consideration to Devin Williams before he signed a three-year, $51-million deal with the Mets two weeks ago, the thought of landing Díaz seemed far-fetched.
After all, the 31-year-old was widely expected to receive a four- or five-year deal, having already opted out of the remaining two seasons on his record-breaking five-year, $102-million contract with the Mets to become a free agent this winter. Also, since he had turned down a qualifying offer from the Mets at the start of the offseason, the Dodgers knew they’d lose two draft picks (their second- and fifth-highest selections) to sign him.
“We checked in from the get-go,” general manager Brandon Gomes said. But, he acknowledged, “the opportunity to add somebody of this caliber to what’s already a really talented bullpen was something that we weren’t sure was going to be able to actually come to fruition.”
Turned out, a few factors were working in the Dodgers’ favor.
First, the Mets weren’t willing to give Díaz a longer-term deal, either. Instead, in the wake of the Williams signing, they were reportedly offering only three years for a similar salary as the Dodgers. Not coincidentally, it was only entering last week’s winter meetings — mere days after Williams’ Dec. 3 agreement with the Mets — that Gomes said talks started to intensify.
“Having those conversations and making sure you’re in there and [letting him know], ‘Hey, we’re really valuing you, and if things make sense on your end, great, we’re here’ — that was the biggest thing,” Gomes said. “Making sure you’re exploring all avenues, because you don’t know how things are gonna play out.”
Another benefit for the Dodgers: They had advocates close to Díaz vouching for the organization.
Díaz said he received rave reviews about the club from both his brother Alexis (who spent most of last year with the Dodgers, after they acquired him from Cincinnati following an early-season demotion to the minors) and his Team Puerto Rico teammate Kiké Hernández (a longtime Dodgers fan favorite who is currently a free agent).
“They treat every single player the same,” Díaz said of the message he received. “That’s really nice, [especially] knowing they have a lot of great players, future Hall of Fame players. … That’s really good. That’s how a winning clubhouse is.”
Ultimately, it all led up to a rather swift signing process on Tuesday morning, one in which the Dodgers gave Díaz the highest average annual salary for a reliever in MLB history ($23 million per year) but kept the terms to three years and were able to defer more than $13 million of the total guarantee.
“I think once Devin came off the board, it was like, ‘OK, let’s continue to explore the different options,’” Gomes said. “Obviously having no idea what conversations had gone on up to that point between Edwin and other clubs, it was more about: ‘Hey, we’re here if there’s something that makes sense. And we would love to have you join our group.’ And fortunately enough, everybody’s interests were aligned on that.
“That’s why you shouldn’t play the game of assumptions, and just do the due diligence on the front end,” Gomes added. “Sometimes things work out, sometimes they don’t. But having those conversations and making sure you’re doing the work that’s needed to really understand the situation is important, especially when you see situations like this play out.”
Now, the Dodgers will put their faith in Díaz to play a leading role in their quest for a World Series three-peat.
He will be the club’s designated closer — a role they have been hesitant to bestow upon any one reliever since the departure of Kenley Jansen (the only MLB reliever with more saves than Díaz since his debut in 2016).
“For us, we have a high bar. To name someone the closer, you have to be one of the best. You have to be elite and dominant at what you do,” president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said.
The team’s expectation is that Díaz's presence will elevate the rest of the bullpen, too, giving a more defined late-game structure to a relief corps that ranks just 21st in the majors in ERA last season.
“It allows Doc and our coaching staff to kind of put guys into spots leading up to that,” Gomes said, “knowing that it doesn’t really matter who’s in the ninth, that we’re gonna like the matchup.”
Read more:Submit questions for our live 2025 Dodgers Debate Christmas Special
Perhaps the biggest news from Friday’s introduction: Díaz still plans to enter games to his iconic walk-out song, “Narco” by Timmy Trumpet — which Gomes described as “probably the most electric walkout song in the game.”
“I can’t wait, the first game of the season, coming in the ninth with Timmy Trumpet and getting the W for the Dodgers,” Díaz said.
A few weeks ago, that scene felt like an unlikely vision.
But now, anytime the sounds of trumpets echo around Chavez Ravine in the summers to come, they will serve as a reminder of the team’s latest free-agent coup — one more unexpected than almost all the rest.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Warriors waste another historic Steph Curry performance in loss to Timberwolves
Warriors waste another historic Steph Curry performance in loss to Timberwolves originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – Another bad Warriors loss was added to a growing list Friday night, even in Steph Curry’s sensational return against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Chase Center.
Curry played his first game in 16 days after missing the Warriors’ previous five because of a left quad contusion. He played 32 minutes and scored a game-high 39 points, including 23 in the second half and 14 in the fourth quarter. The result still was a Warriors loss, falling 127-120 against a Timberwolves team that was without its own superstar in Anthony Edwards.
The loss dropped the Warriors back to .500 again with a 13-13 record this season. Curry has now scored 30-plus points in eight games this season, and the Warriors also are a .500 team when he does so, going 4-4 thus far.
“I mean, he was Steph,” Quinten Post said after the loss. “He really got going in that second half, and then as a team it sucks that we couldn’t help him to a win.”
A healed Curry was back on the court after watching the final two games of the Warriors’ previous homestand from the bench and then staying back during their three-game road trip to rehab at the team facilities. But he apparently lost his starting spot at point guard.
Of course, that’s only semi-true and semi-sarcastic.
Curry started in his first game since Nov. 26, though he had a new backcourt mate. Curry previously had started alongside Brandin Podziemski, Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody as the Warriors’ two guards in a season that has seen little semblance and consistency in the first five on the floor. Steve Kerr, on Friday night, opted to go with the hot hand next to Curry.
What’s the perfect complement to a Splash Brother? Perhaps a legendary Lax Bro who has become a Warriors fan-favorite. Pat Spencer started his third straight game to follow his head-turning road trip. Improvements as a shooter and the willingness to shoot behind the 3-point line made Kerr comfortable starting two smaller guards together.
“Yeah, it’s a big deal. It’s the biggest thing,” Kerr said in his pregame press conference. “If he’s willing to take the shot, then it sets up the rest of his game and sets up our game. We want to get good shots, we want to get open threes so we can crash. We want the ball to move. For five-out spacing you’ve got to have a number of guys who can knock down that shot. Pat has proven that this year. It has changed him.”
The Warriors led 19-18 when Kerr first subbed Spencer out in the first quarter and broke up his new backcourt. Curry (10 points) and Spencer (five points) had combined for 15 of the Warriors’ first 19 points. The two of them were 3 of 6 from 3-point range in the first quarter while the rest of the Warriors missed all six of their threes. By halftime with the Warriors having a two-point lead, Curry was up to 16 points, four rebounds and three assists, and Spencer was at nine points, four rebounds and four assists.
“It’s reminiscent for me, like Jarrett Jack back in the day,” Curry said. “A guy that can just handle the ball. I was off the ball a lot in the first quarter, and on purpose with full confidence he can initiate the offense. I can get some off-ball actions and he knows how to move the ball. Yeah, it was different.
“Obviously we hadn’t played much this year, but anybody with high IQ I can play next to.”
Spencer struggled in the second half. He was a minus-19 in a little under 13 minutes, scoring just three points on 1-of-6 shooting. De’Anthony Melton was the closing guard next to Curry, a pairing Kerr envisions using often at the end of games.
“I think Melt will be in our closing lineup quite a bit this year,” Kerr said.
The Warriors entered the fourth quarter with a three-point lead and then found themselves in a 12-point hole with under six minutes remaining from a 17-0 Timberwolves run. A furious comeback put the Warriors back up by three, 117-114 at the 1:58 mark, only for the Timberwolves to reel off an 11-1 run to put the game away.
In a game where the Timberwolves didn’t have Edwards, they still had three players score at least 20 points. Curry was the only Warrior to reach the mark. Another two Timberwolves scored at least 17 points. The Warriors’ second-leading scorer, Quinten Post, wound up with 16.
Jonathan Kuminga was a healthy DNP for the second straight game after averaging 24 points against the Timberwolves without Curry in the final four games of the second round of the playoffs last season.
The scoring discrepancy was so bad that Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert scored 12 points in the fourth quarter while Warriors not named Curry scored 15.
“Just a tough way to end,” Curry said of the fourth quarter.
On a night where Curry continued to defy age and had his 94th career game of 35-plus points since turning 30 years old to pass Michael Jordan for the most all time, the Warriors still couldn’t earn a win to maintain the momentum they created on the road. The Warriors now have lost five games where the opposition has been without their star player, and Curry played in each one.
Not good enough.
Lakers look to sharpen defensive focus for Suns; Austin Reaves sidelined by injury
The film tells the truth. The Lakers are not a good defensive team, evidenced by the sight of the NBA’s top guards blowing past Lakers defenders into the paint during a 10-game defensive swoon that ranks among the league’s worst.
Yet when coach JJ Redick shows his team the tape and then backs it up with the numbers, there’s still cautious optimism that the Lakers can improve.
“I don't think there's anybody in that meeting room that thinks we're a good defensive team right now,” Redick said, “but I also don't think there's anybody in that meeting room who thinks we can't be a good defensive team. We've got to get better.”
In the 10 games since LeBron James returned to the lineup, the Lakers have scored 121.8 points per 100 possessions, a significant increase in their offensive rating of 115.4 during the first 14 games of the season. While their offensive rating ranks fifth in the league during the last 10 games, their 120.9 defensive rating ranks 27th. It’s a dramatic increase from their previous 113.7-point defensive rating.
The most glaring issues are the team’s defense in transition and early in the opponent's offense, Redick said. The Lakers give up 1.19 points per possession in transition, fifth-worst in the league.
Sunday’s game in Phoenix against the Suns, who scored 28 fast-break points against the Lakers on Dec. 1, will be a significant test as the Lakers (17-7) try to avoid their first losing streak this season.
Read more:Hernández: Austin Reaves' quiet 15-point game magnifies Lakers' bigger defensive struggles
Led by Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves — who is out for at least a week because of a left calf strain, the team announced Friday — and the 40-year-old James, the Lakers are not destined to be a fast team on either side of the court. They were outmatched against San Antonio’s dynamic backcourt led by the speedy De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, who combined for 50 points Wednesday as the Spurs scored 27 fast-break points and knocked the Lakers out of NBA Cup contention.
Losses like that exposed the Lakers’ lack of speed on the perimeter, but the team also has shown flashes of excellence against the best guards. The Lakers held 76ers star Tyrese Maxey to five points on two-for-six shooting in the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ four-point win at Philadelphia on Dec. 7.
“It’s less of scheme stuff. A little more of urgency,” guard Gabe Vincent said. “A little more of doing all the little things. If you don’t do them, like I said, there are some great players in this league that will expose you.”
One of the team’s top defensive options is on the bench. Forward Jarred Vanderbilt has played only three minutes in the last 10 games. He entered the game against Philadelphia only after Jake LaRavia took a shot to the face that loosened a tooth.
Vanderbilt, an athletic forward, has been a consistent force on defense during his career but struggles to contribute on offense. While he impressed coaches with how hard he worked in the offseason to improve his shooting and ballhandling, Vanderbilt made only four of 14 three-point shots in the first 14 games. He averaged 5.6 rebounds per game before James returned to the lineup Nov. 18, pushing Vanderbilt to the bench.
Before the Lakers’ last game against the Suns, Redick said part of it was a numbers game with James’ return and felt the team would settle on a nine-man rotation. Vanderbilt had tasks he “needed to be able to do consistently to play” even before James returned, Redick said.
But making changes at that time was difficult, the coach acknowledged. The Lakers were in the midst of a seven-game winning streak. But they're 2-3 in the last five games, which have laid their defensive struggles bare, and coaches are “looking at everything.”
“If this continues,” Redick said Friday, “he'll definitely get his opportunities."
After practice Friday, Vanderbilt stayed on the court shooting extra three-pointers with staff members.
Meanwhile, Reaves will be reevaluated in approximately one week, the Lakers said after practice.
The guard averaging 27.8 points, 6.7 assists and 5.6 rebounds has led the Lakers in total minutes played as the team weathered stretches without James and Doncic. Reaves responded with a career-best start. He is ninth in the NBA in scoring and could be on track to earn his first All-Star nod as he enters a critical contract decision this offseason.
Reaves will miss at least Sunday's game at Phoenix, Thursday's game at Utah and a Dec. 20 game at the Clippers. After another game at Phoenix on Dec. 23, the Lakers begin a stretch of five consecutive home games, starting with a marquee Christmas Day matchup against the Houston Rockets.
Etc.
The Lakers assigned guard Bronny James to the G League on Friday.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Utah’s Kyle Whittingham, most successful coach in the football program’s history, is stepping down
Whittingham has been the head coach at Utah since December 2004 and a member of the Utes’ coaching staff since 1994.
Warriors' usually steady defense lets them down in close loss to Timberwolves
Warriors' usually steady defense lets them down in close loss to Timberwolves originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – Missing their best defender and their 258-pound center, the results were fairly predictable for the Warriors as they squared off against the team that knocked them out of the NBA playoffs last season.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, who also were shorthanded and without their best overall player in Anthony Edwards, stormed into Chase Center and dealt Golden State a 127-120 loss to ruin Stephen Curry’s return to the lineup after a five-game absence.
While Edwards was nursing a sore foot, the rest of the Wolves were busy feasting on the Warriors, using their blend of size and strength to completely dominate Golden State in the paint while maintaining a steady and effective presence in the paint.
That wasn’t a complete surprise considering Golden State was without Draymond Green and Al Horford. Green is a former NBA Defensive Player of the Year and a nine-time All-Defensive Team selection, while Horford is a five-time All-Star who was selected to the 2017-18 All-Defensive Second Team.
The two have been very effective at clogging the middle for Golden State this season but neither suited up Friday, leaving the interior of the Warriors’ defense exposed.
Minnesota wisely took full advantage.
Wolves center Rudy Gobert went off for 24 points and 14 rebounds. Naz Reid came off the bench to back up Gobert and dropped a cool 18 points with seven assists.
“I thought our defense let us down tonight,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “We had several plays in transition in both halves where we lost sight of Naz Reid and a couple other shooters. I just thought our transition defense was poor.”
The Warriors somehow managed to make it close at the end but the breakdowns on defense eventually caught up to them.
Golden State had a 96-91 lead with 10 and a half minutes left before Reid got open for a 3-pointer. Gobert later scored three consecutive buckets on an alley-oop, a dunk and a tip-in while DiVincenzo sank a pair of wide-open 3s in the final 108 seconds.
“(Gobert) made his presence felt, obviously driving lanes,” Stephen Curry said. “He was getting offensive rebounds. He was getting those little drop-down passes and everything at the rim. Draymond and Al understand how to make the impact, make their presence felt against him, but we didn’t have them. We had to figure out a way to get it done, but we just didn’t.”
Quentin Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis did a serviceable job for much of the game but neither was a match for Gobert, who had 12 points and six rebounds in the fourth quarter.
Overall, Minnesota held a 66-44 scoring advantage in the paint.
“They played with a lot of size on the floor, and they made it hard on us rebounding and playing without fouling,” said Post, who had 16 points and six rebounds. “I thought we put them on the line way too much. It was a tough challenge for sure.”
Sherrone Moore timeline: What led to Michigan coach’s firing, arrest
An alleged breakup with a romantic partner two days before Moore's firing as Michigan's football coach starts a timeline of key incidents.
Exclusive: Red Wings' Sebastian Cossa Talks Near Perfect Start, Relationship With John Gibson
The Detroit Red Wings’ AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, have opened the season in remarkable fashion, winning 20 of their first 22 games. Leading the charge is top prospect Sebastian Cossa, who has been nearly unbeatable in net.
Detroit’s 15th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft has been dominant, posting an 11-1-0 record with a 1.76 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage through 12 appearances.
The Hockey News spoke with Cossa ahead of the Griffins’ weekend matchups against the Rockford IceHogs and the Chicago Wolves. Cossa credited his impressive numbers to the experienced group playing in front of him, noting the impact of the NHL veterans on the roster.
"Being my third year in AHL now, a lot of confidence in myself, and knowing what I need to bring every night to play well and then obviously, I think we've got one of the best penalty kills in the league, which helps out a lot," Cossa started off by saying "As I said, I think the NHL experience, especially a lot on the back end, has helped out a lot for sure, so, definitely playing good hockey, and feeling really confident in my game, but the boys helped me out a lot too."
Grand Rapids’ leading scorer John Leonard recently spoke about the team maintaining a day-by-day mindset despite their strong start, a sentiment Cossa echoed. He acknowledged the outside buzz surrounding the team’s success but emphasized their commitment to staying grounded.
"The noise is going to be there with the start we've had, but I think we're still taking day by day, not letting it get to our heads, and still coming to work every day with a great work mentality and taking the next game with what it is face value," Cossa explained "Basically, I think every team's coming into our building when they play us, knowing that they're playing the best team in the league right now, so we're getting everyone's A game and I think every night someone on our team has stepped up and helped us get these wins here and there."
Cossa also spent part of the offseason working extensively with Griffins goalie coach Roope Koistinen, who has guided him throughout his three AHL seasons.
They focused on refining Cossa’s approach, helping him rely more on his natural reactions while maximizing the advantages of his six-foot-six frame, particularly in controlling slides and handling lateral movement.
Sebastian Cossa with the SAVE OF THE YEAR! (After misplaying the pass but who cares). He even has a big smirk on his face at the end of this clip #GoGRG#LGRWpic.twitter.com/JIZwKlaYHq
— Griffins Nest (@GrGriffinsNest) December 6, 2025
During that same offseason, Detroit made waves by acquiring goaltender John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks in a Draft Day trade, giving the Red Wings their strongest goalie tandem in years. Cossa had the chance to work with Gibson during training camp and said the two quickly formed a strong connection, praising Gibson’s mentorship.
"I got to spend some time with him, trying to pick his brain as much as possible, he's an awesome guy, very reciprocal with me, very respectful, and just trying to help me out as much as he could, so he did a great job at that, someone who I feel confident that I can go talk to and chat with and stuff like that," Cossa said.
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Cossa also expressed admiration for Gibson’s recent performances, especially his ability to rebound after a challenging start in Detroit. When asked about early-season rumors of a possible NHL call-up during Detroit’s shaky stretch in goal, Cossa made it clear that while his ultimate goal is the NHL, his priority is to excel consistently at the AHL level first.
Sebastian Cossa save thread ⬇️#LGRWpic.twitter.com/1a2ALvWS8b
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) December 11, 2025
"Yeah, I mean, it's tough obviously you do hear it, at the end of the day, you do want to be there, so that's what you're striving for but I know that I need to dominate at this level for a sustained period of time and once that happens, hopefully get my shot, but just trying to take it day by day, do what I keep doing down here that's made me successful throughout the year and hopefully by the time I do get my shot, just bring that up and bring that routine up to Detroit," Cossa explained.
Throughout the interview, Cossa repeatedly emphasized his goal not simply to compete, but to dominate at every stage of his development. With the start he’s had, he’s proving exactly that. He concluded by saying that while the team hopes to carry their momentum into the postseason, their focus remains on maintaining high standards each night rather than looking too far ahead.
The Griffins return to the ice Saturday night when they host Rockford at Van Andel Arena. Fans can tune in on 96.1 The Game, WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM, stream through AHL.TV on FloHockey.tv.
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Blues Assign Aleksanteri Kaskimaki To Springfield
ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues assigned forward Aleksanteri Kaskimaki to Springfield of the American Hockey League on Friday.
The 21-year-old, who was recalled on Dec. 1 and made his debut on Dec. 4 against the Boston Bruins, played in five games for the Blues.
Kaskimaki, who did not record a point, has played in 16 games with the Thunderbirds this season and had seven points (four goals, three assists). He was originally drafted by the Blues in the third round of the 2022 NHL Draft.
The signing of veteran Robby Fabbri, who had an assist in his Blues debut Thursday in a 7-2 loss to the Nashville Predators, likely made this move to send Kaskimaki back down easier so that he can continue to play games.
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Can Boise State beat a Big Ten team? Five things to watch for in the LA Bowl
In what probably will be the final LA Bowl ever played, Maddux Madsen and Boise State look to prove they can beat a talented Washington team.
Royals and All-Star 3B Maikel Garcia agree to 5-year, $57.5M contract
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — All-Star third baseman Maikel Garcia and the Kansas City Royals have agreed to a five-year, $57.5 million contract that includes a club option for a sixth season, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Friday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract is pending a physical. Garcia was arbitration-eligible for the first time in 2026, so the deal essentially buys out his arbitration years and potentially his first two years of free agency.
The 25-year-old Garcia is coming off a breakout season both in the field, where he won his first Gold Glove playing alongside All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., and at the plate, where he hit .286 with a career-high 16 homers and 74 RBIs.
While the Royals have prioritized landing outfield help in the offseason — they agreed to a $5.25 million deal with Lane Thomas on Thursday — they also wanted to ensure they maintained their franchise cornerstones. That began with re-signing catcher Salvador Perez to a $25 million, two-year contract in November, and it continued by keeping Garcia through at least the 2030 season.
He also is capable of playing shortstop and second base, and Garcia even dabbled with playing in the outfield last season.
By keeping him in the fold, the Royals also solidified what has been one of the better infields in baseball. Witt is coming off a second consecutive All-Star appearance and Gold Glove, Perez is a nine-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove-winner, and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino just had the best season of his four-year big league career, hitting .264 with 32 homers and 113 RBIs.
It also follows a trend of the Royals keeping their own. Each of those four players was signed and developed by Kansas City.
The Royals failed to make the playoffs last season, but they did finish 82-80, the first time they have had consecutive winning years since going to back-to-back World Series in 2014 and ’15. And with a talented pitching staff set to return, and young position players on the upswing, there is optimism that Kansas City can get back to the postseason in 2026.
Edwin Diaz explains leaving Mets for Dodgers: 'It wasn't easy'
Former Mets closer Edwin Diaz was introduced by his new team, the two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers, on Friday afternoon and spoke with reporters about his decision to leave New York for Los Angeles.
"I want to say thank you to the Mets organization for what they did for me the last few years. Really, really happy what I did there," Diaz said.
"Now, we are in a new family, we are with the Dodgers. Came here to win. That's my goal, try to win another World Series with this great team. I'm really happy to be here."
Diaz mentioned that he spoke with his brother, Alexis, who played nine games for LA in 2024, before signing his three-year, $69 million deal on Tuesday. He noted that Alexis telling him how well the Dodgers treat players was a selling point.
"Yeah, I did talk to Alexis a little bit when the conversation was getting more close to signing with the Dodgers," Diaz said. "He told me they are really a good organization, they treat every player like they are all really good players, that was something I was looking for. He told me great things about the Dodgers, make it easy for me."
Diaz added that it "wasn't easy" to leave the Mets after the past seven seasons, but he made the decision based on wanting to win a title.
"It wasn't easy, wasn't easy. I spent seven years in New York," Diaz said. "They treat me really good, they treat me great. "I chose the Dodgers because they are a winning organization. I'm looking to win and I think they have everything to win. Picking the Dodgers was pretty easy."
The three-time All-Star was originally acquired by the Mets in December of 2019 in a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Mariners. After a rough first season in New York, he grew into one of the best closers, if not the best, in baseball. Over his six seasons (not counting his injury-missed 2023), Diaz recorded 144 saves with 538 strikeouts and owned a 2.93 ERA.
Los Angeles now adds Diaz (and his iconic walkout song, which he confirmed will come with him to the West Coast) to shore up its bullpen in 2026 as they look to become the first team to win three consecutive World Series titles since the Yankees from 1998-2000.
Edwin Díaz was asked how hard it was to leave the Mets and pick the Dodgers
— SNY (@SNYtv) December 12, 2025
"It wasn't easy. I spent 7 years in New York. They treat me really good, they treat me great.
I chose the Dodgers because they're a winning organization. I'm looking to win. And I think they have… pic.twitter.com/OiMzeYo3z4
Following the end of his introductory news conference, Diaz posted a message to Mets fans on his Instagram account.
"New York, New York. The city that never sleeps and that’s forever shaped me. Thank you for seven incredible years in your city," Diaz wrote. "Thank you Mets fans for the love and support you showed me over those seven memorable years. It has been the biggest honor to wear the Mets uniform and sound the trumpets in Queens, NY. I’m grateful to the ownership, coaches, staff, teammates, and fans that my family and I met along the way. You’ll always be such a special part of our journey."
Former Mets first baseman Pete Alonso introduced by Orioles, explains why he chose Baltimore in free agency
Pete Alonso donned a new shade of orange for the first time Friday, when the Orioles formally introduced the veteran slugger on the heels of a five-year, $155 million free-agent deal that raised some eyebrows across the league.
And less than 24 hours after issuing a heartfelt farewell message to Mets fans via social media, Alonso discussed his departure from Queens and why he pursued a move down to Baltimore.
"As the offseason progressed and we got further along, this partnership was head and shoulders above everybody else," Alonso said. "This park, this city, this organization, everything combined just clicked. It was the perfect fit for me -- not just as a player, but for family life as well. Every single box, this place checks."
While it's unclear if the Orioles were the only serious bidder willing to meet Alonso's demands of a long-term contract at top dollar, he was undoubtedly sold on their pitch and offer.
It's also worth noting that the Mets reportedly didn't make a formal offer to Alonso. As a result, they're searching for a different first baseman who can provide sufficient power and defense.
Consider this a tall order, too, since the Mets just parted ways with their all-time leader in home runs. In seven seasons with the club, Alonso slashed .253/.341/.516 with 264 homers, 183 doubles, and 712 RBI over 1,008 games.
He also made five NL All-Star appearances, earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2019, and won the Home Run Derby twice.
The Orioles are banking on Alonso to boost a lineup that finished last in the AL East last season, with a record of 75-87.
Their young nucleus -- headlined by Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, and Jackson Holliday -- remains intact, but a postseason berth in 2026 isn't guaranteed.
Nevertheless, Alonso is looking forward to the change of scenery and the opportunity to lead a new clubhouse. He signed the second-largest contract in Orioles history.
"I've played on a couple winning teams. You need talent, you need some young guys, a mix of veterans, and commitment from top-bottom," Alonso said. "For me, there's no hesitation. Like, 'Yup, that's the team, these are the people. Baltimore's it.'"
Alonso will need to wait a while for his first game as a Citi Field visitor next season, as the Mets aren't scheduled to host the Orioles until Sept. 14-16.
Pete Alonso puts on his Orioles jersey for the first time pic.twitter.com/Mk1AIOH2tq
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) December 12, 2025
Jets Make Major Changes To Lines Following 12th Loss in 17 Games
The Winnipeg Jets have made several changes across the lineup lately to try and generate a spark amid their recent losing skid yet little has worked thus far with the Jets' 6-3 loss to the Boston Bruins on Thursday marking their 12th loss in their last 17 games with things potentially getting worse sooner than later as their upcoming schedule includes difficult matchups against teams like the Capitals, Oilers, Avalanche and Wild.
Jets Colour Analyst Mitchell Clinton reported Friday that Arneil has experimented with more lineup changes, keeping Alex Iafallo on the top unit after his big night Thursday where he scored a nice goal on a solo effort versus Boston's Jeremy Swayman.
Besides the top line, the forwards are going to see several surprising changes ahead of Saturday's contest versus the Capitals with Cole Perfetti teaming up with captain Adam Lowry on the second line with Tanner Pearson on the opposite wing.
#NHLJets line rushes. It’s all battle drills out of one end so it’s difficult to say what the “order” is:
— Mitchell Clinton (@MitchellClinton) December 12, 2025
Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo
Perfetti-Lowry-Koepke/Pearson
Niederreiter-Namestnikov-Nyquist
Barron-Toews-Vilardi
Morrissey-Pionk
Samberg-DeMelo
Stanley-Schenn
Fleury-Miller
In the bottom six, Nino Niederreiter will play his 1,000th NHL game on Saturday and will do so playing with Vladislav Namestnikov and struggling veteran winger Gustav Nyquist on the third line. Finally, Gabe Vilardi is dropping all the way to the fourth line to hopefully keep winger Morgan Barron hot after he scored in Thursday's loss with Jonathan Toews centering the unit.
The Jets are hoping that major shakeups to their forward lines will ignite some energy as they face a Washington team arriving in Winnipeg on a scorching run with a league-leading 10-1-2 stretch over its past 13 outings.
The Capitals have been red hot on offense with a 4.15 goals per game average during their recent surge and will likely test a struggling Eric Comrie, who has battled hard despite tough circumstances, or rookie Domenic DiVincentiis, who would be thrown into a challenging NHL debut much like his Manitoba Moose goalie partner Thomas Milic, who drew the powerhouse Hurricanes in his first start. Winnipeg is simply looking for something to finally click and to secure a badly needed win.
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Canucks’ Poor Home-Ice Record Reflected In These Particular Stats
Only one NHL team has hit double-digits in regulation home losses so far throughout the 2025–26 season. It’s the same team that currently sits dead-last in the NHL’s standings at 32nd with a total of 25 points collected throughout 31 games.
Yes, it’s the Vancouver Canucks.
Vancouver’s home record has been nothing short of abysmal this season. On the road, the Canucks haven’t fared terribly, as they’ve put together a record of 7–7–2 that ties them with three other teams for 17th in the NHL with 16 points. At home, however, is where things begin to slide. The Canucks have a league-worst home record of 4–10–1, having only grabbed nine points in their 15 home games so far.
Salvaging this season feels like it’s out of the cards for a tired Canucks team and an even more tired Canucks fanbase that voiced their displeasure by throwing a jersey on the ice last night. There’s no direct remedy for their on-ice woes, given that a lot of factors have gone into the product currently being iced (David Kämpf being the only active natural center to play 80+ NHL games, for example). With that being said, there are some particular stats that stand out from Vancouver’s home stretches throughout the season — and not in a good way. Let’s take a look at some of the things that have contributed to the Canucks’ poor home record.
Vancouver’s Penalty Kill Has Not Surpassed 75% While On Home Ice
Looking at the Canucks’ stats on a month-per-month basis, Vancouver has yet to register a month in which they have posted a penalty killing rate of over 75%. Throughout five home games in October, the Canucks killed 11 of 15 penalties taken to register a rate of 73.3%. It’s better than their current overall PK% of 71.6%, but unfortunately also the highest they have registered throughout the first three months of the season. During their six home games in November, Vancouver posted a penalty-killing percentage of 70.6%, while December’s dropped to only 66.6% with two more games remaining after Christmas.
With that being said, the penalty kill has been an issue throughout the season — not just on home ice. Their overall home penalty-killing percentage is 70.7%, while they have registered 72.1% while on the road.
The Canucks’ Power Play Has Been Good, But Not Great
One of the keys to a good team is a consistent power play — something that the Canucks haven’t quite been able to register. While their power play percentages at home aren’t bad, per-se, the Canucks have noticeably had some dry spells when it comes to their man-advantage. Of course, their dreaded 0-for-9 performance came on the road against the San Jose Sharks, but at home, Vancouver has endured some inconsistent spells as well. In their past four games, the Canucks have only scored one power play goal throughout nine opportunities.
The eye-test indicates that the power play isn’t a main cause for negativity. In fact, it’s one of the Canucks’ few redeeming stats throughout the season, currently placing 16th in the NHL. When equipped with the proper pieces, they can move the puck into the O-zone well. However, it’s hard to generate those scoring chances when missing a good chunk of said pieces. Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson, and Conor Garland — all of whom play pretty big power play minutes — have all missed some Canucks home games throughout the year.
An Expected Strength Has Become One Of Vancouver’s Biggest Weaknesses
Before the season started, it felt as though there was one part of the Canucks’ lineup that would undoubtedly be a strength — their goaltending. Kevin Lankinen had a career season in 2024–25 while Thatcher Demko entered the year with an off-season of health and proper training.
It only took until November for things to start going downhill.
Demko missed a back-to-back weekend homestand and later departed Vancouver’s game against the Winnipeg Jets on November 11, resulting in Lankinen playing in all six of the Canucks’ home games that month. Including Demko’s SV% logged against the Jets, Vancouver posted an overall SV% of .804 throughout the month of November. They allowed 27 goals-against throughout this span of time, coming out to an average of 4.5 per game.
While the goaltending situation did improve throughout Vancouver’s first stretch of home games in December, the numbers still weren’t fantastic. They allowed 13 goals against for an average of 3.25 per game, while registering a SV% of .836 including the numbers put up by Lankinen before he’d been pulled against the Detroit Red Wings on Monday.
In theory, there are teams with worse goaltending records than the Canucks, but there aren’t many. Throughout the entire season, the Canucks have allowed 55 goals against at home in 15 games, coming to an average of 3.67 per game. The Montreal Canadiens (3.93), St. Louis Blues (3.75), and Detroit Red Wings (3.69) all have higher averages than them in this category. However, the Canadiens and Red Wings, both of whom are within the top-half of the NHL in points, also have much higher goals-for numbers, demonstrating that they can put in the effort to keep up with any opposing offence they allow. Clearly, the Canucks can’t say the same.
While it’s still early in the season, it does feel as though time is running out for a Canucks team that is working against multiple deadlines. The disappointment from fans has been noticeable, with many choosing to spend their money elsewhere instead of at Rogers Arena. The Canucks’ season feels as though it has hit the rockiest part in a storm out at sea; they’ll either emerge as a pack or end up shipwrecked.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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