The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres share one of the fiercest rivalries in sports, and it was on full display during their heated 2024 postseason matchup. Players, fans, and coaches all contributed to the intensity of the series.
Now, this rivalry might spill into free agency.
R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports has predicted that the Dodgers could swipe one of the Padres’ key pitchers in free agency—star closer Tanner Scott. Scott, who was acquired by the Padres at the 2024 trade deadline in exchange for a significant package of prospects, is projected by Jon Heyman of the New York Post to land a $54 million deal.
“As noted with Hoffman above, most of the winter’s high-end relievers remain unsigned,” Anderson wrote. “Scott’s an obvious target for every contender and was linked to both the Yankees and Dodgers earlier this winter. The Yankees have since traded for Devin Williams, while the Dodgers have yet to add anyone to their bullpen. The Dodgers don’t lose a lot of bidding wars, so we’ll go ahead and pencil them in.”
As frustrating as it may be for Padres fans and others in the baseball world, Scott joining the Dodgers feels like a logical move for both sides. Los Angeles has the financial resources to make the deal and a pressing need for a closer.
The Dodgers’ bullpen already boasts strong right-handed options like Evan Phillips and Blake Treinen, but Scott’s left-handed dominance would provide manager Dave Roberts with a versatile and reliable closer option. This potential signing seems both realistic and fitting for a team looking to bolster its bullpen.
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