Angels Emerge as Top Contender for Free Agent Reliever Tanner Scott

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels have emerged as the leading contender to sign free agent reliever Tanner Scott, according to recent reports. The Angels are reportedly considering a four-year, $66 million deal for the San Diego Padres closer, as projected by Spotrac.

“The Angels might be the ones to get it done,” wrote Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report. “They’ll eventually be getting Robert Stephenson back from Tommy John surgery, but aside from him and Ben Joyce, there’s not much in that bullpen. And while they presently have an estimated payroll of $186 million, they should have a decent amount of spending room left in that big-market budget.”

Scott, 29, has been one of the most dominant relievers in baseball over the past two seasons, posting a combined 2.04 ERA and a 31.3 percent strikeout rate across 150 innings. His 7.6 bWAR during that span ranks him among the elite bullpen arms in the league.

The Angels, who finished last in their division in 2024, are looking to bolster their bullpen as they aim to compete in the upcoming season. Scott would join a relief corps that currently lacks depth, with only Joyce and the recovering Stephenson as notable names.

However, the Angels face competition from other teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are also seeking to add a left-handed reliever to complement Alex Vesia. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman hinted at the possibility of further bullpen additions, stating, “If we can add an additional reliever, that helps increase the chances of us not going to market in July. So, yeah, I could see us looking to do that.”

The free agent market for relievers has been slow this offseason but has recently gained momentum. Veterans like Chris Martin and Andrew Kittredge have signed one-year deals, while Aroldis Chapman, Blake Treinen, and Yimi Garcia have also found new homes. Despite these signings, Scott remains the top available bullpen arm.

Scott’s performance metrics over the past two seasons have solidified his reputation as a premier reliever. His 2.53 FIP since the start of 2023 ranks third among all pitchers with at least 110 innings pitched, trailing only Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes.

If the Angels secure Scott, it would signal a significant step forward in their efforts to rebuild and compete in the American League. The team has already made several offseason acquisitions, and adding Scott to their bullpen could provide the stability needed to contend in a highly competitive division.