Cody Snavely
We have offically entered the 2025 year, and plenty of free agents are still on the market. One of those free agents is top left-handed relief pitcher Tanner Scott, who is set to receive a massive payday this winter.
According to Sean McAdam of MassLive.com, Scott is seeking a four-year, $80 million contract via “The Fenway Rundown” podcast, which would have an average annual value (AAV) of $20 million per year.
Fabian Ardaya and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported about a month ago that the Los Angeles Dodgers are heavily invested in the relief pitching market, mentioning names such as lefty Tanner Scott and former Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams.
Talks between the Brewers and the Dodgers reportedly reached the final stages, with specific players involved. J. P. Hoornstra of Newsweek reported that the Dodgers offered former top prospect Gavin Lux and minor league catcher Hunter Fedduccia in a deal for Williams before he was ultimately traded to the New York Yankees.
In Andrew Friedman’s tenure as the Los Angeles Dodgers President of Baseball Operations, he has rarely splurged on the relief pitching market. The lone multi-year deal was with former Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, who re-signed with the Dodgers to a 5-year, $80 million deal back in December 2016.
Looking back at last season, the Dodgers bullpen was one of their strengths all season, including October, when they were a significant factor in the Dodgers’ eventual World Series title.
Overall, the Dodgers bullpen pitched 648 innings, which was the fourth most in the National League, but 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%).
However, the need to fortify the bullpen’s back end does make sense. Despite re-signing Treinen to a two-year deal, the righty will be entering his thirty-six season.
Veteran right-handed pitcher Daniel Hudson announced his retirement shortly after the Dodgers clinched the World Series in New York. Joe Kelly, who the Dodgers signed to a 1-year, $8 million deal, is now a free agent. And it would be risky for the team to expect the same production from Anthony Banda or Michael Kopech.
Tanner Scott 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.
If the aforementioned reports are accurate about what the contract is seeking, I find it hard to imagine the Dodgers biting at that sort of deal. However, with the front office going scorched earth the last two years, you can never say never.
However, if the Dodgers swing and miss on Scott, there are some alternatives on the free agent market, such as former Philadelphia Phillies’ top relief arm and 2024 all-star Jeff Hoffman, who’s posted a 2.28 ERA over the last two seasons and veteran righty Kirby Yates, who had an utterly insane season with the Texas Rangers, tossing a 1.17 ERA in 61.2 innings.
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