The Los Angeles Dodgers are adding to their ballyhooed pitching staff, agreeing to a deal with left-handed closer Tanner Scott, multiple outlets reported Sunday.
MLB.com reported that the agreement with the 2024 All-Star is for four years and $72 million. The Athletic added the contract will include a signing bonus and deferred money, though figures were not available.
Major League Baseball Trade Rumors said the deal is tied for third highest for a free agent reliever in terms of average annual value and the fifth most in guaranteed money ever given to a relief pitcher.
The Dodgers are looking to Scott to bolster the back end of a pitching staff that could roll out starters Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and newly added Roki Sasaki. Clayton Kershaw also is expected to return to the Dodgers in 2025 after injury rehab.
Scott, 30, split last season between the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres. He was considered the top pitcher remaining on the free agent market and had multiple suitors.
In 2024, he appeared in 72 games, posting a 9-6 record, a 1.75 ERA and 22 saves. Over 72 innings, he struck out 84 batters.
For his career with the Baltimore Orioles (2017-21), Marlins (2022-24) and Padres, Scott is 31-24 with a 3.56 ERA and 55 saves.
The contracts of Sasaki and Scott will bring the free-spending Dodgers to a luxury-tax payroll of more than $375 million, ESPN reported Sunday. Only the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees are also above the $300 million mark.
