The Philadelphia Phillies have missed out on the top reliever available in free agency.
Tanner Scott, a left-handed relief pitcher who has played for the Baltimore Orioles, Miami Marlins, and San Diego Padres, has agreed to a four-year, $72 million deal with the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, as reported by Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
With the Phillies losing Jeff Hoffman to the Toronto Blue Jays and the potential departure of Carlos Estévez, they were expected to pursue significant bullpen improvements, possibly targeting Scott. While the Phillies had some interest in Scott at the trade deadline before he was traded to the Padres, there was hope they might be able to land him in free agency this time.
However, the Dodgers, who are assembling an incredibly strong roster, have secured another major acquisition, further strengthening their hold on the National League.
This is a blow for the Phillies, who are striving to reach the World Series again, but realistically, Philadelphia may not have been willing to match the kind of contract the Dodgers offered.
Scott had a career-best season in 2024, posting a 1.75 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 72 innings over 72 appearances between the Padres and Marlins. His late-game dominance made him a nightmare for opposing teams.
With Scott off the market, the Phillies’ options for bullpen upgrades are becoming limited. They may look into re-signing Estévez or consider signing some veteran pitchers nearing the end of their careers. Kirby Yates, coming off his best season at 38, could be a short-term option, while 40-year-old David Robertson and 37-year-old Kenley Jansen are also available. However, Jansen may not be a great fit unless he’s open to relinquishing the closer role after the Phillies’ acquisition of Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano, which could be a smart move.
In any case, with Scott now signed elsewhere, the Phillies’ chances of making substantial improvements to their bullpen through free agency are fading.
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