TL;DR - Scouting Report
Tanner Scott's $80M ask has the Dodgers at a crossroads. With mutual interest and a historic payroll, will they break their mold to land the star closer? Find out if L.A. delivers on Scott's hefty demands!
Start the Rally: Tweet This Now!The MLB offseason continues to heat up with reports surrounding free-agent closer Tanner Scott and his potential landing spot. According to Sean McAdam of MassLive Media, the left-handed reliever seeks a four-year contract worth $80 million. This revelation came during the New Year’s Eve episode of the Fenway Rundown podcast, sending ripples through the rumor mill.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been frequently linked to Scott throughout the offseason, with reports indicating mutual interest between the two parties. However, a deal may be complicated by the Dodgers’ historical approach to signing free-agent relievers. Under Andrew Friedman, the team’s president of baseball operations, Los Angeles has been notoriously hesitant to hand out large contracts to bullpen arms. The last time the Dodgers committed significant dollars to a reliever was in 2017 when they inked franchise saves leader Kenley Jansen to a five-year, $80 million deal.
Adding Tanner Scott would undoubtedly bolster an already top-tier bullpen. The 29-year-old southpaw has led all relievers in fWAR for the last two seasons, establishing himself as one of MLB’s premier late-inning options. However, his $80 million asking price could push the Dodgers beyond their comfort zone, given their past reluctance to overpay for bullpen talent.
The Dodgers’ financial behavior in the current and last offseason suggests they might be willing to depart from their usual strategy. Los Angeles is approaching an unprecedented $360 million payroll for the 2025 season. This figure doesn’t account for pending agreements with six arbitration-eligible players and potential free agents they intend to sign, which may further elevate their overall expenditures. With the team aiming to repeat as World Series champions, the front office appears to be pulling out all the stops to assemble a dominant roster.
Will the Dodgers meet Scott’s $80 million demands? As the Tanner Scott sweepstakes unfold this offseason, their willingness to spend shows a commitment to success in 2025 and beyond.
