Dodgers could have another closer candidate via trade if hated rival is willing to deal

As the offseason has progressed, noise around the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tanner Scott has faded. His name came up alongside Devin Williams as bullpen targets for LA in early December, and after Williams was traded to the Yankees, it seemed like the Dodgers were going to get more aggressive with Scott, who was said to have mutual interest.

Instead, there's been little smoke since. Scott is still a free agent but has taken a meeting with the Mets, and the LA has been connected to former closer Kenley Jansen if a deal with Scott doesn't work out.

The Dodgers don't really need a closer — Michael Kopech and Evan Phillips have experience in the role in LA — and it's likely that their focus will be entirely on Roki Sasaki until he makes a decision about where to sign.

However, if Scott doesn't work out and if the Dodgers don't want to take a chance on an aging pitcher like Jansen, one of the clubs they're fighting for Sasaki could offer a solution. The Padres are said to be "entertaining trade interest" on closer Robert Suarez, who bumped Scott out of a closer role last year after he was traded to San Diego.

Robert Suarez could be a Dodgers closer target if Padres are willing to make a trade

The last time the Dodgers and Padres made a truly notable trade was when LA sent Matt Beaty to San Diego in exchange for River Ryan, and it's pretty clear how that one has worked out. It's unlikely, especially if the Dodgers end up winning the race for Sasaki, that the Padres would want to offer any more help to their fiercest division rival, but they could head toward a fire sale if they don't come up with Sasaki.

Suarez earned his first All-Star nod last year and closed 55 games for a 2.77 ERA. He got knocked around in August and September, with a 4.35 and 6.00 ERA respectively, but he was almost perfect in the postseason against the Braves and Dodgers (he pitched 3 1/3 innings and only gave up one hit). Suarez's fastball is one of the hardest-thrown in the league, and he bounced back well in 2024 after missing almost half the season with elbow inflammation.

The Dodgers would still probably prefer Scott, who would be easier to make a deal with than the Padres, who have no reason to want to help them, but if they're really hellbent on getting a bonafide closer, they could call them up.