Tanner Scott signs a four-year, $72 million contract with the Dodgers.

Tanner Scott, the hard-throwing left-handed reliever, signing a four-year, $72 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers is a major milestone in both his career and the Dodgers’ bullpen. This deal, announced during the offseason, marks a significant step for both the player and the franchise, highlighting Scott’s rise from a power arm with raw talent to a key piece in one of the most elite pitching staffs in Major League Baseball (MLB).

The $72 million deal reflects both Scott’s growth as a pitcher and the ever-growing importance of reliable, dominant bullpen arms in today’s game. For the Dodgers, known for their ability to develop pitching talent and build a roster capable of competing year in and year out, the addition of Scott to their bullpen represents a calculated investment in a high-upside player with the potential to make a significant impact on their quest for another championship.

Tanner Scott: From Raw Talent to Dominant Force

Tanner Scott was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the sixth round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of Howard College in Texas. Coming out of college, Scott was regarded as a pitcher with incredible raw talent but little polish. His fastball velocity, which regularly reached the high 90s, caught scouts’ attention, but there were significant questions about his control, mechanics, and ability to consistently locate his pitches. Despite these concerns, Scott’s electric stuff made him an intriguing prospect with considerable upside.

After a few seasons in the minors, Scott made his MLB debut with the Orioles in 2017, and though his rookie season was brief, it showcased the potential he had. He posted a solid strikeout rate but was plagued by walks and control issues, which would continue to be a theme throughout his career. Despite these challenges, Scott was often able to overwhelm hitters with his fastball and slider combination, leading to swings and misses. However, his inconsistency and command issues meant that his early years in the majors were more about flashes of brilliance rather than sustained success.

The Orioles, known for their rebuilding efforts during Scott’s tenure, provided him with ample opportunities to develop at the big league level. His time in Baltimore was a bit of a rollercoaster, with stretches of dominance interrupted by bouts of wildness. In particular, his control issues persisted, and he often walked too many batters to make him an ideal closer. However, what Scott lacked in command, he more than made up for with his overpowering stuff. His fastball, which regularly touched 98 mph, and his sharp slider, which could generate swings and misses from even the most disciplined hitters, were both elite weapons that gave him the potential to become one of the best relievers in baseball.

Turning the Corner: Scott’s Breakout

It wasn’t until 2020 that Tanner Scott began to find more consistency with his stuff, and his true potential started to come into focus. Under the tutelage of Orioles pitching coach Chris Holt, Scott made adjustments to his mechanics, leading to improved control and better command of his pitches. In 2020, Scott posted a career-best ERA of 3.09 and struck out over 40% of the batters he faced—an elite number for a reliever. This breakout performance wasn’t entirely without blemishes—Scott still walked more than his fair share of batters—but the overall results were enough to put him on the radar of other teams around the league.

Scott continued his strong performance through the 2021 season, earning more high-leverage innings and continuing to showcase his overpowering fastball and slider. His strikeout rate remained elite, and his velocity remained among the best in the league. By the end of 2021, Scott had developed into one of the more sought-after bullpen arms in baseball. His ability to get swings and misses with his fastball and slider, combined with his increasing command, made him an intriguing option for teams looking for a dominant left-handed reliever to anchor their bullpen.

The combination of Scott’s raw talent, improvement in command, and the growing need for high-impact bullpen arms led to his inevitable free agency in 2023, where his stock had never been higher.

The Los Angeles Dodgers: A Perfect Fit for Scott

The Los Angeles Dodgers have long been a team with an eye for pitching talent. Over the years, the organization has developed some of the best pitchers in the game, and their commitment to building a strong bullpen has been a key part of their success. The Dodgers, with their championship aspirations, knew that adding a high-caliber reliever like Tanner Scott would be crucial to their quest for another World Series title.

Scott’s signing represents a strategic move for the Dodgers, who have a history of acquiring and developing bullpen talent. His ability to dominate left-handed batters with his fastball-slider combination, combined with his upside as a high-leverage reliever, made him a perfect fit for the Dodgers’ bullpen. In recent years, the Dodgers have built a reputation for developing pitchers, particularly relievers, who can thrive in high-pressure situations. Scott, who has already shown an ability to handle late-game situations, figures to be a key part of the team’s bullpen for years to come.

In addition to his on-field value, Scott brings another critical element to the Dodgers: depth. The Dodgers’ bullpen has often been one of the deepest in the league, and Scott’s addition bolsters that depth even further. His signing gives the Dodgers multiple options late in games, allowing them to mix and match relievers to get favorable matchups in high-leverage situations. This is particularly important in the modern game, where managers increasingly rely on bullpen depth to navigate the middle and late innings of games, especially in the postseason.

While the Dodgers had no shortage of talented pitchers, adding a left-handed reliever like Scott gives them a significant advantage against left-handed hitters. Scott’s dominance against lefties, combined with his ability to get key outs in the late innings, provides the Dodgers with a valuable weapon in their bullpen arsenal. Whether coming in to face tough lefties or providing a reliable arm in high-leverage spots, Scott’s versatility in the bullpen makes him a key addition to the Dodgers’ roster.

The Four-Year, $72 Million Contract: An Investment in Reliability and Upside

The four-year, $72 million contract that Tanner Scott signed with the Dodgers is a significant commitment. The $18 million per year deal is a reflection of Scott’s value as one of the premier bullpen arms available on the market and the Dodgers’ belief in his ability to continue his upward trajectory. For Scott, this deal represents a major step forward in his career, solidifying his position as one of the league’s top relievers.

The length of the contract also signals the Dodgers’ confidence in Scott’s ability to remain an integral part of their bullpen for the foreseeable future. While Scott’s career has been marked by some inconsistency, the Dodgers believe that his stuff and his recent improvement in command make him a reliable option moving forward. His velocity and strikeout potential give him a high ceiling, and his development under a system known for maximizing pitchers’ talents makes him an attractive option for a team with championship aspirations.

From a financial perspective, $72 million over four years is a significant commitment for a relief pitcher, but it is a deal that the Dodgers are willing to make given Scott’s potential and the need for a dominant lefty in their bullpen. The deal also falls within the financial constraints of the team, which has long been one of the highest payrolls in baseball. The Dodgers are used to making bold moves in free agency, and Scott’s signing fits into their strategy of investing in proven talent to build a team capable of competing at the highest level.

For Scott, the deal provides both financial security and the opportunity to thrive on a team that consistently competes for championships. As a player who has had to work hard to prove himself throughout his career, the contract is a significant recognition of his development and his ability to be a difference-maker in the late innings.

What This Means for the Dodgers Moving Forward

For the Dodgers, Tanner Scott’s signing addresses an important need in their bullpen. The team has consistently been one of the most successful franchises in recent years, and their bullpen has played a major role in that success. With Scott joining the fold, the Dodgers now have another elite option in their late-game strategy, giving them the flexibility to navigate challenging matchups and tough spots in high-leverage moments.

Moreover, Scott’s signing solidifies the Dodgers’ bullpen as one of the most formidable in baseball. With Scott alongside established stars like Brusdar Graterol, Evan Phillips, and other reliable arms, the Dodgers now have the depth and flexibility to handle any situation that arises during the course of a season. The addition of Scott gives the Dodgers the kind of bullpen depth that can be a difference-maker in both the regular season and the postseason, where games often hinge on the performance of relievers in tight situations.

The investment in Scott also reflects the growing importance of bullpen arms in modern MLB. With the increasing reliance on pitchers to go shorter distances in games, having a dominant bullpen has become one of the most crucial elements of a championship-caliber roster. The Dodgers, by adding Scott, have strengthened one of their most important areas and ensured that they remain competitive in the arms race that is the modern MLB bullpen.