The Boston Red Sox have officially exhausted their grace period following the Garrett Crochet trade, signaling that it’s time to make more moves.
While Crochet is a solid addition to the Red Sox rotation, the team still needs upgrades across the roster. They’ve committed to pursuing more starting pitching and are in need of a right-handed bat, but there’s also a critical issue they must address— their biggest weakness in the second half of last season.
The Red Sox bullpen was disastrous after the All-Star break, and it likely cost them a playoff spot. They missed the postseason by five games and blew 18 out of 32 save opportunities from July 19 onward, posting the worst conversion rate in MLB.
Strengthening the bullpen with more dependable arms is a priority, and no free agent on the market is more reliable than Tanner Scott. The 2024 All-Star, who was traded from the Miami Marlins to the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline, is one of the most sought-after free agents available.
On Wednesday, Drew VonScio of Newsweek predicted that Scott would be a perfect fit for the Red Sox in the 2025 free-agent window.
“Even after signing Chapman, the Red Sox still need help in the bullpen, and Tanner Scott is one of the top relievers available in free agency,” VonScio said. “He posted a 1.75 ERA last season with the Padres and Marlins, and earned 22 saves.”
“Scott is expected to sign a deal worth over $50 million, but left-handed relievers of his caliber are certainly worth the investment.”
Since the beginning of the 2023 season, Scott has compiled a 2.04 ERA over 150 innings, striking out 188 batters. His raw talent has always been evident, but his improved control over the past two seasons has solidified him as one of the league’s best relievers, and he’s set to be paid accordingly.
The Red Sox are in the best position of any big-market team to sign Scott, with over $50 million in available funds before reaching the luxury tax threshold. While investing in relievers is always a risk, Scott could easily justify that risk with a few more seasons like the one he just had.
