The Dodgers aren’t content to build the best starting rotation in baseball this winter. They’re trying to do the same with their bullpen.
According to multiple reports, the Dodgers have reached agreement on a four-year, $72 million contract with free agent left-hander Tanner Scott, the best reliever available on this year’s free-agent market. As has become usual in the Dodgers’ recent deals, the contract includes a big signing bonus ($21 million) and deferred salary ($20 million), lowering the immediate payroll hit for the Dodgers while giving the player tax advantages.
The 30-year-old Scott joins a bullpen group that already includes Blake Treinen, Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips and Alex Vesia.
Over the past two seasons, Scott has been one of the most dominant relievers in the majors. Traded from the Miami Marlins to the San Diego Padres in mid-season 2023, Scott had a 2.04 ERA and 34 saves over the past two seasons. Last year with the Padres, he held opposing batters to a .179 average with a .528 OPS.
During the NL Division Series between the Dodgers and Padres last October, Scott faced Shohei Ohtani four times and struck him out all four times.
The agreement between the Dodgers and Scott has not been officially confirmed by the team. A roster move will be necessary to clear a 40-man roster spot for Scott.