Miami Marlins relief pitcher Tanner Scott is dealing this season and is gaining widespread attention from many teams ahead of the trade deadline. The Marlins have expressed that they’re on the road to rebuilding and that began with the trade of All-Star second baseman Luis Arráez. Could Tanner Scott be next? Jon Heyman from the New York Post reports that the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers are all interested in the lefty. Scott, now in his third season with the Marlins, will become a free agent after this season. The left-hander is an elite relief pitcher who recently had a 20-inning streak without surrendering an earned run. If he keeps this up he will most likely be joining a postseason contender by the deadline.
Yankees, Dodgers, Phillies, Orioles Among Teams Interested In Tanner Scott https://t.co/m7uiMTFi0l pic.twitter.com/vOMSFEKV8h
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) June 14, 2024
Several Contending Teams Eyeing Trade for Marlins Reliever Tanner Scott
The Marlins acquired relief pitcher Tanner Scott, 29, in April 2022. Since then he has been their most reliable pitcher in the bullpen and has improved his numbers each season. In 2022 he had a 4.31 ERA and a 1.612 WHIP in 62 2/3 innings pitched. The following year he improved these numbers to a 2.31 ERA and a 0.987 WHIP in 78 innings pitched. So far this season, he has a 1.50 ERA, 1.171 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched. In addition, he already has 12 saves, tying the amount he made last season.
Tanner Scott of the @Marlins picked up his 11th save of the season with a perfect 9th (1IP 0H 0R 0BB 1K). His fastball, averaging 95 MPH with an IVB of 17″ won our Relief Pitcher Pitch of the Day for June 27th pic.twitter.com/apuD9zYRJc
— Baseball Prospectus (@baseballpro) June 28, 2024
Interested Teams
As Jon Heyman reports, the Phillies, Yankees, Orioles, and Dodgers are all potential suitors for Scott. All of these teams are playoff-hopeful and also have some of the best pitchers in the game. The Phillies currently have a 3.39 bullpen ERA, which ranks fifth in the majors, per FanGraphs. Adding Scott could further solidify their bullpen and provide the crucial edge needed for the postseason.
The Yankees have had a rocky June, but still seem likely to make the playoffs. Per FanGraphs, their bullpen ERA is 3.73, which ranks 14th in the majors. Since their bullpen looks average, especially of late, bringing in Scott could elevate it and help them make a deep run in the playoffs. As with the Yankees, the Orioles bullpen could use some help and again Scott could be a perfect fit. Finally, the Dodgers have expressed interest in the reliever to help lead them to the postseason.
Based on how this season has unfolded for the Marlins so far, they have indicated that they are likely to be sellers come the trade deadline. Their first move came when they traded their hitting machine second basemen Arráez to the San Diego Padres. With how good Scott is performing this season, it looks as if he will be the next piece traded for the rebuild to continue.
Photo Credit: © Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
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