Tanner Scott is one of the best relievers in Major League Baseball, and the Miami Marlins are expected to trade him ahead of the July 30 deadline.
With few sellers and many buyers on the market, seemingly all with pitching needs, Scott will be a popular name among teams in search of relief help. While it isn’t a priority for the Los Angeles Dodgers to acquire a high-leverage bullpen option, it would still be beneficial for them.
They have already been reported as having interest in Scott, but nothing has come to fruition yet as the Marlins start to trade off some of their pieces, which began on Thursday by sending A.J. Puk to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
With just days before the deadline remaining, the Dodgers remain among the interested teams in Scott, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
The teams interested in Scott (and presumably Estévez) include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Orioles, Kansas City Royals, New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, according to sources briefed on the Marlins’ discussions.
Scott would be an instant improvement to any group he joins, but he has struggled with walks this season.
The southpaw has walked nearly 15% of hitters faced, which is up from his mark of just below 8% last season. However, Scott’s total this year is closer to his career 13% walk rate.
Scott has countered a high number of walks by striking out 28.8% of hitters he faces and limiting the home run ball at an elite rate of just 0.40 per nine innings. That has led to a 1.21 ERA in 44.2 innings pitched this season with a still-solid 3.26 FIP and 2.92 xERA.
Given that Scott is due to become a free agent after the 2024 season, it’s almost a certainty the Marlins closer will be traded.
Should Dodgers trade for Tanner Scott or bullpen help?
With the Dodgers’ bullpen being overworked recently and recent struggles from Evan Phillips and Alex Vesia, perhaps relief help is a greater need than the Dodgers anticipated even one week ago. However, they must address their rotation and outfield.
It seems more likely the Dodgers would acquire a struggling reliever they believe has a fix to get him back on track, or someone in the more mid-tier range of available options. That is the path the Dodgers have taken in the past, and it’s generally worked out.
It seems unlikely the Dodgers trade for a top-tier relief pitcher as they search for an impact outfielder and starter. But if neither of their primary searches come up with anything, then adding a great relief pitcher would still be a way to improve the club.
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