The great offseason for the Los Angeles Dodgers continues as the team has signed veteran left-hander Tanner Scott to a four-year deal. The deal is for $72 million over the course of the contract as the Dodgers get more weapons for the bullpen.
ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan reported the news on social media.
Closer Tanner Scott and the Los Angeles Dodgers in agreement on a four-year, $72 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Scott, 30, was the best free agent reliever available this winter and got paid an elite amount as part of a deep Dodgers bullpen.
Just days after the Dodgers landing starting pitcher Roki Sasaki, Los Angeles continues to add. The team needed another arm in the bullpen and Scott was the best reliever available on the market.
Last season he split time between the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres. Los Angeles tried to land Scott ahead of the trade deadline but decided that the price was too large to pay.
But a few short months later and the Dodgers got their guy. Scott was a key piece to the success that the Padres had down the stretch of the season, even becoming a weapon for San Diego to use against Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.
Scott posted an ERA of 2.73 in 28 games with the Padres and an ERA of 1.18 over 44 games with the Marlins. Over the past few seasons, Scott has established himself as an All-Star level reliever, earning a spot on the 2024 All-Star team.
His electric stuff on the mound helped to earn him this deal and now he gives Los Angeles a legitimate weapon out of the bullpen.
While this contract is great and brings in another strong talent to the Dodgers, it’s a little odd. Normally, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is hesitant to hand out large free agent deals to relievers but it seems that Scott could be the exception.
This signing helps to round out an already strong offseason for Los Angeles. The additions of Blake Snell and Sasaki have strengthened this pitching staff but Scott helps to take the bullpen to another level.
Los Angeles will be trying to repeat as World Series champions this coming year and this addition helps that case. The Dodgers struck big on the free agent market once again and don’t have too many holes left to fill along the roster.
