When Tanner Scott left San Diego after a stellar 2024 season, Padres fans knew he was gone. With a 1.75 ERA and All-Star status, the lefty was one of the most sought-after bullpen arms on the market. And as usual, the Los Angeles Dodgers got their man, locking Scott down with a four-year, $72 million deal.
It looked like a classic Dodgers move, big spending for big talent. But now, just weeks into June, Scott’s struggles are becoming impossible to ignore.
Tanner Scott’s Fall from Elite to Liability
Scott has allowed 10 runs on 13 hits over his last seven appearances, pushing his ERA to a troubling 4.73. Since May 20, he’s been wildly inconsistent, mixing in a couple of decent outings with four multi-run disasters, two blown saves, and two losses.
Even Scott is owning it. “I’m just not hitting my locations, and it’s costing us,” he told reporters.
This is not what you expect from a $72 million reliever. And for a World Series-or-bust team like the Dodgers, this kind of performance can’t be ignored, especially if they meet the New York Mets again in the NLCS, where Scott has already faltered twice this season.
Can the Dodgers Afford to Bench Him?
Here’s the dilemma: Scott’s price tag all but forces the Dodgers to keep him in the mix. They can’t afford to bury a reliever making nearly $20 million a year, no matter how shaky he’s been.
But the postseason is brutal. Every pitch counts, and one bad inning can end a team’s championship hopes. Will the Dodgers risk running Scott out in high-leverage October moments? Or will they be forced to shuffle their bullpen hierarchy sooner than expected?
Padres’ Bullpen Isn’t Immune Either
While the Padres may be grinning at Scott’s struggles, their own bullpen has hit a rough patch after a red-hot start. Still, if Scott continues to spiral, San Diego might have won this deal by simply letting him walk.
The Dodgers are built to dominate, but every great machine has a weak spot. Right now, Tanner Scott might be theirs. If he can’t regain his 2024 form soon, the Dodgers may find themselves questioning whether their biggest bullpen investment was actually a $72 million mistake, courtesy of their NL West rivals.
