TL;DR - Scouting Report
Dodgers pursue elite relievers at the Winter Meetings, eyeing Tanner Scott and Devin Williams. Aiming to repeat as champions, LA bolsters its bullpen strategy.
Start the Rally: Tweet This Now!The Dodgers have not stopped hitting the gas pedal in their quest to repeat as World Champions, identifying a need to add a shutdown reliever to their bullpen, openly shopping for one at MLB’s Winter Meetings.
League sources tell Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic that the Dodgers are seeking at least one more reliever. A shortlist of players includes, but is not limited to free agent LHP Tanner Scott and a potential trade for Brewers closer Devin Williams.
Earlier this week, the Dodgers kicked off the Winter Meetings week by re-signing reliever and potential closer Blake Treinen to a two-year, $22 million contract.
Scott, 29, was excellent for the Marlins and Padres, posting a 9-6 record, 22 saves, a 1.75 ERA, 1.125 WHIP, and averaging 10.5 K/9. Walks have been the ick on Scott. He averaged 4.5 BB/9 in 2024.
Signing Scott would ensure that one less pitcher would be available to neutralize Shohei Ohtani. He could be added to the club’s lefty options, which currently consist of Anthony Banda and Alex Vesia.
Williams, 29, has been among baseball’s best relievers over the last five seasons. This includes his 2020 season when he posted a microscopic 0.33 ERA and 0.630 WHIP. He was limited to 22 games in 2024 by a stress reaction in his back, making his season debut in July. He returned, though, and was excellent, going 1-0 with 14 saves, a 1.25 ERA, 0.969 WHIP, and averaging 15.8 K/9, improving on his career K/9 mark of 14.3.
If the Dodgers decide to go the trade route with Williams and the Brewers, they could offer a plethora of young MLB-ready pitchers to get a deal done. The Brewers declined Williams’ $10.5 million club option for 2025. He, however, remains under club control in his final year of arbitration.
The Athletic says that the Dodgers are joined by the Yankees, Royals, Tigers, Angels and others as teams that could be interested in swinging a trade for Williams.
Should the Dodgers decide to sign Scott in free agency, The Athletic predicts it will cost $60 million over four seasons.
Your Turn: If you had to add one bullpen arm, who would you add, and why? Tell us below in the comments!
