San Diego Padres closer Tanner Scott is the best reliever on the market and it’s not very close, especially after Devin Williams was traded to the New York Yankees.
Scott is one of the best closers in the game. He shined in 2024 as a member of the Miami Marlins and Padres. The lefty posted a 1.75 ERA in 72 innings split between the two teams.
Rowan Kavner of FOX Sports recently predicted the Chicago Cubs to be the team that lands Scott this winter. Scott is projected to sign for $65 million this winter, per Spotrac.
“All 30 teams could use a reliever of Scott’s caliber at the back end of the bullpen,” Kavner wrote. “So, sure, the odds might be better that the most coveted closer on the market ends up with the Dodgers or Mets — who are both interested in Scott — than the Cubs.
“They’ve yet to open up the pocketbooks in a significant way this winter, but they’re now off Cody Bellinger’s contract and should have considerable room to add before they even approach their 2024 payroll or the first CBT threshold. It would be inexcusable to save all that money and end up with Matthew Boyd as their biggest pitching addition.”
Chicago is in prime position to win the National League Central in 2025.
The Milwaukee Brewers have lost Willy Adames and Devin Williams this winter. The Cincinnati Reds have made additions, but remain a step behind the Cubs. The Pittsburgh Pirates don’t have much behind Paul Skenes and the St. Louis Cardinals are rebuilding.
Adding a closer like Scott would bolster the Cubs’ bullpen tremendously. Last season, Chicago struggled at the backend of games, but bringing Scott in would be the perfect way to be sure that doesn’t happen again.
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