Dodgers stun MLB again, sign offseason's best closer on heels of Roki Sasaki victory

There was no reason to believe that, even after the addition of Roki Sasaki to an already unbelievable rotation, the Dodgers would be done packing even more talent onto their 2025 roster. The free agent market has thinned out a lot, but there were still a few guys out there who could act as the perfect sweeteners to the bullpen or bench.

After the Yankees spoiled a Devin Williams trade between the Dodgers and Brewers, LA's pivot was clear; they'd already expressed interest in free agent Tanner Scott, who left the division rival Padres after half a season in 2024, and the interest was said to be mutual.

Talks seemed to stall between Scott and the Dodgers in January, though, and his reported conversations with the Mets, Blue Jays, and Cubs made it seem like he was drifting away from LA, who may not have been willing to pay his four-year, $80 million asking price.

However, on Sunday, just two days after Sasaki announced his own signing on Instagram, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported that Scott and the Dodgers were in agreement on a four-year, $72 million contract.

Closer Tanner Scott signs four-year, $72 million deal with Dodgers

Scott was one of the best relief options who hit free agency in 2024, and was easily the best one remaining before the deal with the Dodgers was announced. The Mets seemed to pivot when they signed AJ Minter on Friday, but the Blue Jays still have yet to make a significant signing (unless Yimi Garcia counts as a significant signing). Toronto really can't win.

It's remains to be seen if the Dodgers will make Scott their official closer or will have him split time with Michael Kopech and Evan Phillips. The Dodgers liked to keep things fast and loose with the bullpen last season, and Scott wasn't San Diego's closer during his brief stint with the Padres, where the job was already taken by Robert Suarez.

There's still time for the Dodgers to do even more, even if that seems impossible. The bench could be rounded out with the re-addition of Kiké Hernández, and Miguel Rojas and Chris Taylor could be swapped out (if LA could find a taker for Taylor's contract, which does seem unlikely) if they want to keep upgrading. If the Sasaki signing wasn't proof enough, Scott coming over makes it clear that this team is completely unstoppable.