The Dodgers landed the top remaining reliever in free agency, signing Tanner Scott to a four-year, $72 million deal. The move leaves the Red Sox still searching for their closer after showing interest in the left-hander.
Scott’s coming off an All-Star season where he dominated with a 1.75 ERA and 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings across 72 appearances for Miami and San Diego. The 30-year-old would’ve been a perfect fit for Boston’s biggest bullpen need.
Without Scott, the Red Sox’s closer situation looks murky. They’ve got some interesting arms – Liam Hendriks is working his way back, Aroldis Chapman’s still throwing heat, and youngsters Justin Slaten and Luis Guerrero show promise. But there’s no clear ninth-inning guy in that group.
The way things stand, Boston’s bullpen needs more firepower. There are still some solid options out there – Kirby Yates and Carlos Estevez could help stabilize things. But the Sox can’t feel great about their relief corps heading toward spring training.
What makes this tricky is how the rest of the AL East keeps improving. The Red Sox have made some moves this winter, but leaving the closer role unsettled is risky in a division where every win matters.
They’ve been active in the trade market, especially with Pittsburgh (three deals in six months), and just locked up one of their young stars to avoid arbitration. But solving the ninth inning remains their biggest challenge.
