Pursuing Juan Soto and/or a frontline starter will steal the headlines, but Boston also needs a bullpen makeover with Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin heading back to free agency.
Liam Hendriks and Justin Slaten are in-house capable options to round out the back of the bullpen, but the Red Sox really need another true leverage reliever to blend with that duo. There’s solid arms on the market, though there’s one name that could really take the Red Sox to a higher level.
That would be Tanner Scott.
The left-hander dominated for the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres in 2024. He’s one of the more unique arms on the market, could slot in multiple roles for Alex Cora and give the Red Sox a true weapon, not just an arm to get outs, in the bullpen.
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Here’s why Boston should be aggressive in pursuing the 30-year-old.
Immediate best lefty
The Red Sox had below-average production among left-handed relievers last season. Brennan Bernardino, Bailey Horn, Cam Booser and others did not elevate the group’s production and clearly need an upgrade.
Scott is in another class but isn’t just some lefty specialist. He gets lefties and righties out and attacks hitters on a regular basis. Scott posted a 1.75 ERA in 2024 and forced hitters from both sides of the plate to a sub-.200 batting average against.
That should thrill the Red Sox.
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Postseason proven
The Padres fell to the eventual champion Los Angeles Dodgers in five games in the National League Division Series. Despite the loss, Scott carved up opposing hitters, including the game’s greatest star in Shohei Ohtani.
Scott struck out eight hitters in 5 1/3 innings this October without allowing a run.
Swing-and-miss
The Red Sox did not have relievers last season who could overpower hitters and generate whiffs on the mound. Scott immediately solves that issue.
He’s a rare left-hander who can run his fastball close to 100 mph with a complimentary slider. He struck out 10.5 batters per nine innings last season and averages 11.9 for his career. When Boston needs a big out, Scott would immediately be the guy for Cora to turn to.
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