All-Star Closer Tanner Scott has been linked to be one of the Chicago Cubs top bullpen targets this winter and the Los Angeles Dodgers could sweep in and steal him away.
The Chicago Cubs could still look to add another arm to their bullpen and with still plenty of high-end arms to choose from, the Cubs can have their pick at the litter. However, one of those targets that the Cubs have been linked to looking to sign this off season, All-Star closer Tanner Scott could be taking his talents to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Tanner Scott
The now 30-year-old closer would be a great addition to what is turning out to being a stacked Chicago Cubs bullpen. When browsing his Baseball Savant page, it just drips red with all the pitching categories Scott stands out in. To note he is in the 100th percentile when it comes to exit velocity, 97th percentile for hard hit rate, and the 96th percentile for pitcher run value.
Scott had a monster season to say the least splitting his time between the Miami Marlins and then being traded over to the San Diego Padres at last year’s trade deadline. During his run of dominance in 2024 Scott appeared in 72 games taking down 72 innings pitched as a reliever (which is high). Scott accumulated a record of 9-6 with a 1.75 ERA, with 22 saves, and 84 strikeouts. That number of strikeouts in that number of innings is good enough for a strikeout per nine rate of 10.5, which is impressive.
What would adding Tanner Scott Look Like?
Currently the Chicago Cubs option for the closers role in 2025 will be the young soon to be 24-year-old Porter Hodge. In 2024 for the Chicago Cubs Hodge appeared in 39 games (43 innings pitched) had a 1.88 ERA, 9 saves, and 52 strikeouts. The Chicago Cubs hope that in 2025 Hodge takes a step forward and can hopefully lockdown close 30+ saves for this season. However, if the Cubs were to sign Tanner Scott than having Hodge slide into the setup role would still be a solid option.
The Cubs did just make a splash with signing veteran left-hander Caleb Thielbar to a one-year deal to give them another lefty out of the bullpen, as well as be a later inning and high leverage option to turn to. With the Cubs only other lefty options being Luke Little, Jordan Wicks, and Rob Zastryzny who aren’t considered “high leverage” relievers adding someone of Tanner Scott’s caliber and experience wouldn’t be a bad thing for the Chicago Cubs to do. I mean the old adage still remains true “you can never have enough starting pitching”, but in this case pitching in general.
The Cost to Add Tanner Scott?
Spotrac estimates that Tanner Scott is looking to receive a contract somewhere around four-years $72 million with an average annual value of $16.225 million. That would be a lot for the Chicago Cubs to spend on a reliever when their most pressing need comes in finding an Ace like starter to anchor their rotation. The funds that would be spent on Tanner Scott who as I said is a phenomenal pitcher and would add a ton of value to this Cubs team, but that money would better be spent on a starting pitcher instead of a reliever.
With The Athletic by Sahadev Sharma stating that the Cubs will add another starting pitcher saying:
“Whether it’s a trade in the coming weeks or a late free-agent signing before the spring, it seems inevitable that one more starting pitcher will be added,” he reported.”
It’s clear that the Chicago Cubs signing Tanner Scott will most likely not be in the cards. Even though as I said Scott would add tremendous value to a team looking primed to make the playoff for the first time in five years, I think the Cubs letting the Los Angeles Dodgers swoop in and steal away Tanner Scott could be a blessing in disguise.
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