Cody Snavely
Just days after, the Los Angeles Dodgers snagged 23-year-old Japanese pitcher Rōki Sasaki to a $6.5 million deal. They have made yet another significant move, bringing in top free agent relief arm lefty Tanner Scott.
Major League Baseball insider Mark Feinsand first reported that Scott had agreed to a four-year, $72 million contract to join the defending World Series Champions. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic later confirmed the report that the deal also included a signing bonus and deferments similar to other deals the Dodgers have signed this offseason.
Robert Murry of FanSided confirmed the details of those numbers, stating that Scott would receive a $20 million signing bonus and $21 million in deferred payments.
Prior to their deal with other free agents, the Dodgers and their front office, led by Andrew Friedman and Brandon Gomes, stated numerous times that adding a top-end relief pitcher was a top priority this winter.
During the 2024 Major League Baseball winter meetings, it was reported by Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic that the Dodgers were looking to add an elite pitcher to solidify their backend of the bullpen with lefty Tanner Scott and former Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams.
However, despite the Dodgers’ best efforts to acquire Willaims in a trade with the Brewers that reportedly involved former top prospect Gavin Lux, he was traded to the Yankees, leaving Los Angeles looking for other options.
Scott’s name has seemingly been connected with the Dodgers all winter, with multiple media outlets such as Dodgers insider David Vasegh saying after the Saski news broke, “Don’t be surprised” if the Dodgers go all in on Scott.
The Dodgers bullpen by no means needed any major upgrades as most of those arms were returning. Overall, the Dodgers bullpen pitched 648 innings, which was the fourth most in the National League. However, it still managed to rank third in ERA (3.53), second in WHIP (1.18), second in Batting Average (.220), and third in LOB% (73.5%).
Adding Scott would be a luxury, not a need, but the Dodgers circled him anyway, and after months on the open market, he fell into the Dodgers’ lap.
Scott, 30, was a top-five baseball reliever during the 2024 season and undoubtedly the best left-hander. Scott finished his 2024 campaign with 72 IP, 1.75 ERA, and 84 Ks (28.6%). Scott is also finishing a dominant two-year stretch, posting a 2.04 ERA in 150 innings for both the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres.
Scott was looking for a four-year, $80 million deal this winter and had met with multiple teams, such as the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays, but the Dodgers gave him the years and the best chance to win.
However, Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reported that the Red Sox were a team that offered Scott more years and money, but he still opted to join the Dodgers superteam.
Once the deal is made official, the Dodgers’ 40-man roster will be full, so any more moves made until the teams break for camp next month will require a corresponding roster move.
According to Spotrac, the Dodgers’ 2025 payroll is projected at $374 million, $70 million more than the next highest team, the Philadelphia Phillies ($303MM).
It’s safe to say that Tanner Scott is the cherry on top of an already ungodly offseason for the Dodgers. Still, the team also plans to bring back veteran lefty Clayton Kershaw and likely fan-favorite Kiké Hernández.
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