The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Jack Flaherty, the top pitcher dealt at the deadline. According to one rumor, they were one of the teams “in at the end” to sign Miami Marlins reliever Tanner Scott. Scott was traded to the San Diego Padres for four top-30 prospects.
“The Dodgers were another team that Tanner Scott faced at the end. Jon Heyman of the New York Post speculated that this could have prompted the Padres to do more.
The Dodgers traded catcher/first baseman Thayron Liranzo and shortstop Trey Sweeney. They were the Dodgers’ No. 8 and 22 prospects, respectively. The Padres traded their No. 2, No. 4, No. 5, and No. 24 prospects to get Scott.
Perhaps the Dodgers were unwilling to give up so much for a player who will become a free agency after the season.
The Dodgers Missed Out on Scott
Scott drew interest from numerous contenders at the deadline. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, New York Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies all expressed interest in the All-Star.
Heyman speculated that the Dodgers’ interest may have contributed to the Padres’ willingness to pay a high price for Scott.
Left-handed pitcher Robby Snelling, right-handed pitcher Adam Mazur, infielder/outfielder Graham Pauley, and infielder Jay Beshears are four prospects that potentially shape the Marlins’ future.
While the Dodgers were unable to bring in Scott, they did make many changes before the deadline. They signed in reliever Michael Kopech, center fielder Kevin Kiermaier, and utility player Tommy Edman.
Scott Could Have Bolstered the Dodgers’ Bullpen
Scott signed a one-year, $5.7 million contract with the Marlins after winning his arbitration appeal this offseason. The 29-year-old will become a free agent following the season.
Scott has a 1.18 ERA in 44 games this season, totaling 45 2/3 innings. He has a strikeout rate of 10.4 per nine this season. Scott, on the other hand, struggles with walk-hitters. He averages 5.3 walks per nine innings. He is at the one percentile for walking. Scott may have made a difference for the Dodgers out of the bullpen.
Kopech, who was acquired from the Chicago White Sox as part of the three-team deal, will strengthen the Dodgers’ bullpen. Kopech, like Scott, has a high strikeout rate. He averages 12.16 strikeouts per nine innings. That would be the Dodgers’ best pitching performance this season.
“The 28-year-old ranks in the 99th percentile in fastball velocity and in the 89th percentile in expected batting average against,” according to MLB.com’s Juan Toribio. “His whiff percentage is also in the 86th percentile, all areas the Dodgers look for in a pitcher.”
He also outperforms Scott in terms of walking. He is in the seventh percentile for walking.
Kopech made 27 starts for the White Sox in 2023, but has only appeared in the bullpen in 2024. His 4.74 ERA is slightly concerning, but a change of environment in Los Angeles may alleviate this.
The talented right-hander’s performance may simply reflect the White Sox’s overall troubles. Perhaps being a part of a successful organization will give him the boost he requires.
