The Boston Red Sox have been linked to several top free-agent pitchers to upgrade the rotation. President of baseball operations Craig Breslow will also need to supplement his 2025 bullpen since relievers Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin are on the open market. Could he make a big splash and bring All-Star hurler Tanner Scott to Boston?
Scott split his 2024 campaign between the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres. He put together a career year, which included a 9-6 record, 1.75 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 84 strikeouts and 22 saves in 72 innings. This was a continuation of the breakout he experienced with Miami the year before.
Between 2017 and 2022, Scott owned a 4.61 ERA through 218 2/3 innings. He turned his career around in 2023, twirling a 2.31 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 78 innings for the Marlins. This dominant two-year stretch has come at a perfect time as he looks to cash in via free agency.
Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller shared his predictions for top MLB free agents on Monday. One of those predictions included the Sox landing Blake Snell for the rotation on a $158 million deal. He also thinks Boston can reel in Scott to anchor its bullpen with a three-year, $48 million guarantee.
"Scott has experience as a setup man or closer," Miller said. "He's likely to command a large enough contract in free agency that serious suitors will view him as their best reliever, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be pitching in the ninth inning in today's game."
MLB agent Scott Boras told reporters at the GM Meetings that Boston wants to "secure high-level players" and is planning on being active in free agency. Acquiring Scott for the bullpen would be one step in keeping that promise.
