For a team that just won the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers are not resting on their laurels. They have already inked two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell to a five-year deal. Los Angeles also re-signed World Series hero Blake Treinen. And they are not done upgrading their bullpen. They checked on Milwaukee’s Devin Williams before he was traded to the New York Yankees. Now, there are multiple reports that there is mutual interest between the Dodgers and left-handed free-agent reliever Tanner Scott.
Per @ByRobertMurray on the Baseball Insiders podcast regarding the Dodgers and closer Tanner Scott, “there’s absolutely interest between both sides.” pic.twitter.com/ZgR733K4VB
— Dodgers Tailgate (@DodgersTailgate) December 13, 2024
Rumor: Dodgers Linked to Tanner Scott
Prime Target
The lefty, taken in the sixth round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles, has become one of the best closers in the game. He became one of the most highly sought-after relievers in July. Ultimately, he was dealt to the San Diego Padres from the Miami Marlins at this year’s trade deadline in exchange for some top-end prospects in the San Diego farm system. Now, he is highly prized again as he hits the free agent market.
Between San Diego and Miami, Scott compiled a 9-6 record with 84 strikeouts in 72 innings. The lefty’s ERA resided well below two at 1.75. The one-time and likely future closer was able to do this with two exceptional pitches: a slider and a fastball. The mid-nineties fastball gets a lot of swing and miss, while the slider combines velocity and movement.
What Three-Batter Rule?
The high-leverage reliever is so effective that his splits facing right-hander hitters versus left-handed hitters are not all that different. This gives his future manager the freedom and flexibility to use him when it’s most advantageous, regardless of the construction of the opponent’s batting order, or the left-right matchup. Make no mistake, the left-hander is a specialist. He specializes in getting batters out. They are hitting just .179 off him.
Case and Point
If one needs a reminder of how nasty Tanner Scott’s repertoire can be, just ask National League Most Valuable Player Shohei Ohtani. The 50-50 man faced the left-hander three times in the National League Division Series. He struck out every time. It’s a sure bet that if the two-way player had his way, he would rather be Scott’s teammate than his rival.
What Scott Would Mean to the Dodgers
The Los Angeles bullpen has already shown itself to be effective. It carried the Dodgers to a World Series win, as each member of the Opening Day starting rotation spent time on the injured list this season. With the addition of Scott, barring injury, they could be dominant. Left-handers Alex Vesia and Anthony Banda can be effective in high-leverage situations by themselves. Scott would give manager Dave Roberts added versatility and flexibility against even the best lineups in baseball. If the starters can stay healthy pitching into the fifth or sixth inning, and the lineup scores runs, the game could be over as early as the seventh inning.
The Dodgers were good enough in 2024 to win the World Series. If they add a shutdown reliever like Tanner Scott to the mix, they could be even better.
Photo Credit: © Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
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