After a rocky start to his Dodgers tenure, Tanner Scott is finally delivering on the massive promise of his $72 million contract. The left-handed reliever has emerged as the most reliable arm out of the Los Angeles bullpen, a welcome sight for a team that invested heavily in his elite potential.
Scott entered the league as one of baseball's most dominant relievers during his time with the San Diego Padres. When he hit free agency in the 2024 offseason, the Dodgers wasted no time, inking him to a four-year, $72 million deal that made him one of the highest-paid relievers in the game. But the 2025 season was a different story—Scott struggled mightily, posting a -0.6 bWAR and a 4.74 ERA. He blew multiple leads and often made deficits insurmountable, ultimately missing the postseason roster due to a groin injury and a noticeable dip in confidence.
Fast forward to Spring Training in 2026, and it’s clear Scott is a new man. While he took some hits during preseason games, the key difference is his renewed belief in his stuff. “Last year, I was pretty terrible; everyone saw that,” Scott admitted. He identified a critical flaw: he was throwing too many strikes, which led to more hittable balls in play. This season, he’s trusting his ability to generate whiffs and pounding the strike zone with purpose.
Through the first quarter of the 2026 season, Scott has looked like his former dominant self. In 18.1 innings, he’s posted a stellar 1.47 ERA, a microscopic 0.60 WHIP, and allowed just nine hits and three earned runs—only two of which came via home runs. His peripherals suggest some regression (a 3.26 expected ERA and 2.88 FIP), but those numbers are leagues above his 2025 performance. He’s missing bats, limiting hard contact, and making hitters uncomfortable—hallmarks of a dependable late-inning arm.
The Dodgers signed Edwin Díaz as insurance after Scott’s falterings in high-leverage spots, but with Díaz sidelined for months, Scott has stepped up as the primary closer. He’s not just filling a role; he’s thriving in it, proving that sometimes, the best investment is patience. For a team built on star power, Scott’s resurgence is a reminder that even the biggest contracts can find their groove.