The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres have one of the bitterest rivalries in all of sports. During the 2024 postseason, this rivalry was on full display as players, fans, and coaches were all involved in heated exchanges throughout a postseason series between the two teams.
Now, the rivalry could spread into free agency.
R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports recently predicted the Dodgers to steal one of the Padres' most valuable pitchers in free agency. Anderson predicted Los Angeles to sign star closer Tanner Scott.
Scott was acquired by the Padres at the 2024 MLB trade deadline in exchange for a huge haul of prospects. Jon Heyman of the New York Post projects Scott to sign for $54 million.
"As noted with Hoffman above, most of the winter's high-end relievers remain unsigned," Anderson wrote. "Scott's an obvious target for every contender and was linked to both the Yankees and Dodgers earlier this winter. The Yankees have since traded for Devin Williams while the Dodgers have yet to add anyone to their bullpen. The Dodgers don't lose a lot of bidding wars, so we'll go ahead and pencil them in."
As much as it would pain the baseball world, Scott to the Dodgers feels like the perfect move for both parties. It seems realistic and it's probably going to be where the closer lands.
The Dodgers have the money to bring Scott in and they don't have a bona fide closer. Los Angeles has Evan Phillips and Blake Treinen, who are both great right-handed options, but Scott provides a bit better production from the left side. It would give manager Dave Roberts multiple options for his closer spot.
