Tanner

Scott

It took roughly one week after initial reports surfaced linking Yates to Los Angeles, but Passan adds that the deal is finally done after the veteran stopper passed his physical. There should be an official announcement from the Dodgers in the coming days, if not sooner. The 37-year-old closer converted 33 of 34 save opportunities last year for the Rangers to accompany a sparkling 1.17 ERA (2.50 FIP), 0.83 WHIP and 85/28 K/BB ratio across 61 2/3 innings (61 appearances). He figures to take over as the Dodgers’ primary closer with lefty free agent import Tanner Scott moving to a more versatile fireman-type role. The move is undoubtedly a positive one from a fantasy perspective and puts him squarely in the RP10-15 range on draft day.

Scott comes to the Dodgers after being one of the most dominant left-handed relievers in the sport over the last few seasons. The 30-year-old has dealt with control issues and that isn’t likely to change, but his ability to miss bats and the fact that he could be saving games for the best team in baseball make his fantasy appeal considerable.

Gomes downplayed a report from USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale earlier this week in the wake of the Dodgers agreeing to terms with veteran stopper Kirby Yates that Kopech was likely to miss time at the outset of next season due to forearm inflammation. He elaborated that Kopech was grinding through a forearm issue during last postseason before adding, “I don’t think there’s anything of concern at this point.” At the very least, fantasy managers should closely monitor Kopech during upcoming Cactus League outings. He’s seemingly no longer in the mix to close for Los Angeles, but they’ll still need him to play a prominent role in their high-leverage mix.

Not great. Nightengale adds that Kopech isn’t dealing with any structural damage, but the Dodgers are expected to proceed with an abundance of caution at the outset of next season. The 28-year-old former starter was a revelation last year after coming over from the White Sox but forearm issues are never a good sign. He’s probably going to be limited in spring training, if he pitches at all, and there should be some clarity on his status in the coming weeks. The unexpected injury revelation certainly explains why the Dodgers are making significant financial commitments to free agent closers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates.

No one else is stepping up, so the Dodgers keep adding. Yates could be the first option in the closer’s role over Tanner Scott, just because Scott is more versatile with his ability to match up against lefties and greater familiarity with coming on with men on base. Yates was phenomenal in the role last year for Texas, finishing with a 1.17 ERA and 33 saves.

Well, that’s one way to make sure he won’t be striking out Shohei Ohtani in October. Scott, 30, has been one of baseball’s best relievers the last two years, posting a 2.04 ERA in 150 innings. This probably settles the closer question in L.A.; though Scott doesn’t necessarily need to be in that role, the paycheck demands that he get the first try over Michael Kopech and Evan Phillips.

Morosi also notes that the 30-year-old southpaw is expected to decide between several multi-year offers this weekend. With all due respect to Porter Hodge, the Cubs have one of the clearest paths to the closer role among teams that have expressed interest in Scott, so if he wants the ninth inning gig, it could be a match that works very well for both sides. Scott registered a minuscule 1.75 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and an 84/36 K/BB ratio over 72 innings between the Marlins and Padres in 2024 while also notching nine victories and accumulating 22 saves.

Sherman adds that the Mets have already begun to pivot away from the Polar Bear by re-signing Jesse Winker to a one-year, $7.5 million contract and will make a run at signing lefty closer Tanner Scott, the top reliever left on the open market. We can’t totally dismiss the possibility that Alonso or the Mets make a last-ditch effort in the coming weeks, but it sounds increasingly unlikely that he’s going to return to New York. Sherman notes that barring a last-minute reversal, New York is planning to move Mark Vientos to first base with Luisangel Acuña, Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio battling for the starting job at the hot corner.

McAdam mentioned that it’s “a crowded market for Tanner Scott,” who will set the relief pitcher market when he finally does sign with a team. Mass Live’s Chris Cotillo also reported that there are “likely multiple big-market bidders” who could meet Scott’s asking price. Edwin Diaz currently has the most expensive contract for a relief pitcher in terms of AAV (Average Annual value), coming in at $20.4 million. It sounds like Tanner Scott might have a chance to match that or perhaps leapfrog Josh Hader with the second-largest relief pitcher contract in baseball.

The Padres upped their lead from two runs to four in the bottom of the eighth, but they probably weren’t going to bring in Robert Suarez tonight anyway. Scott struck out three of the six batters he faced for his fourth save with the Padres and 22nd overall. He might wind up getting saves over the slumping Suarez in the postseason.