Dave Roberts has surprising bullpen comment despite addition of Tanner Scott

The title of reigning World Series champions isn't something the Los Angeles Dodgers are content with. Need proof? Just look at their offseason moves - headlined by free agent additions Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, Hyeseong Kim, Michael Conforto, Kirby Yates and Tanner Scott and the re-signings of Teoscar Hernández, Clayton Kershaw, Blake Treinen and Kiké Hernéndez.

This is a team that has dynasty written all over it. But, with all this talent, it's on manager Dave Roberts to figure out the best way to maximize each player's effectiveness and, despite luring Scott to Chavez Ravine with a four-year, $72 million deal that makes him one of the league's highest-paid relievers, that doesn't mean he'll be the team's go-to guy in the ninth.

“I still stand by that,” Roberts told the Orange County Register this week (of not naming Scott the closer). “I think Tanner is going to get the brunt of the closing opportunities. I just don’t want to be in a situation where it’s the eighth inning and it makes too much sense to have him pitch that inning, to have somebody behind him. It could change, but I think right now I feel good about that.”

Dave Roberts will play mix-and-match with new Dodgers "closer" Tanner Scott

It's not like Scott is the only option with closing experience and, frankly, Dodgers fans should take solace in Roberts' comments. If there's a lefty-heavy middle-of-the-order group due up in the eighth, handing the ball to Scott (although he admittedly is also lethal against righties) makes sense, especially when you have guys like Yates and Treinen available to close things out.

The big thing is here is, clearly, Roberts has had these conversations and set the expectation with his relievers. Being upfront with them in camp should help avoid any drama that can sometimes plague a team with this many big names. Whether he's pitching in the ninth or as a late-inning fireman, Scott is going to be a key piece of this pitching staff in 2025 and the years to come.

This feels like just another example of Roberts' lauded communication skills - which are a big part in why he's on the precipice of becoming the game's highest-paid manager. That doesn't happen by accident, even with as many insanely talented rosters as he's been given.