The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres share one of the most intense rivalries in sports, and during the 2024 postseason, tensions flared as players, fans, and coaches engaged in heated exchanges throughout their series. Now, this rivalry could spill over into free agency, as CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson predicts the Dodgers might poach one of the Padres’ most valuable pitchers.
Anderson has forecasted that the Dodgers will sign star closer Tanner Scott, who joined the Padres at the 2024 MLB trade deadline in exchange for a significant prospect package. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Scott is projected to command a $54 million contract.
“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.”
While the thought of Scott heading to Los Angeles might sting for Padres fans, the move seems both logical and likely. The Dodgers have the financial resources to sign Scott and currently lack a definitive closer. Although they have strong right-handed bullpen options in Evan Phillips and Blake Treinen, Scott would provide a powerful left-handed complement, giving manager Dave Roberts more flexibility in late-game situations.
