The Los Angeles Dodgers and free agent left-handed relief pitcher Tanner Scott have reached an agreement on a four-year, $72 million contract, as reported by Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. According to ESPN's Jesse Rogers, Scott narrowed down his options to either the Dodgers or the Chicago Cubs before ultimately choosing to join Los Angeles.

This announcement comes shortly after Japanese pitching sensation Rōki Sasaki declared his intention to sign with the Dodgers. Last season, the 30-year-old Scott demonstrated impressive performance metrics, recording a 9-6 record, a 1.75 ERA, and 84 strikeouts over 72 innings while playing for the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres. This exceptional season also led to Scott earning his first All-Star appearance.

Scott was widely regarded as one of the premier pitchers available on the free agent market, whether as a starter or a reliever. His addition bolsters an already formidable bullpen, as the Dodgers concluded last season ranked third in Major League Baseball for bullpen ERA. The Dodgers, committed to enhancing their roster regardless of financial implications, are expected to exceed a luxury-tax payroll of $375 million for 2025 once Scott's contract is finalized, significantly higher than the second-place Philadelphia Phillies. Other teams projected with high luxury tax figures include the New York Yankees. During the current offseason, the Dodgers have made notable investments, including contracts for Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Teoscar Hernández, while also re-signing Clayton Kershaw and extending Tyler Glasnow, acquired via trade from the Tampa Bay Rays. Having won a league-high 98 games last year, despite numerous injuries, and claiming their eighth World Series title, the Dodgers remain a leading contender for the upcoming season. They have also secured signings for Blake Snell, Hyeseong Kim, and Michael Conforto, in addition to re-signing Hernández and Blake Treinen. The team will commence the 2024 season with high expectations, starting with a two-game series against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo on March 18.