Dodgers Reliever Tanner Scott Named One of Worst Contracts in Baseball

The Dodgers' big-money signing of the left-handed reliever has not paid off so far.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 6:39pm

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The Los Angeles Dodgers, known for their talented and expensive roster, have been saddled with one of the worst contracts in baseball according to Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly. Left-handed reliever Tanner Scott, who signed a four-year deal with the Dodgers prior to the 2025 season, struggled mightily in his first year with the team, posting a 4.74 ERA and 4.70 FIP across 61 games. This was a far cry from the dominant numbers he put up with the Marlins and Padres in the previous two seasons. The Dodgers are hoping Scott can bounce back in 2026, but the addition of star closer Edwin Diaz in the offseason has provided the team with more bullpen depth.

Why it matters

The Dodgers are known for making smart free agent signings and building a championship-caliber roster, so the struggles of Tanner Scott's big-money contract stand out. This highlights the risks involved in handing out lucrative long-term deals to relief pitchers, who can be volatile from year to year. The Dodgers will be hoping Scott can turn things around, but the team's bullpen depth may allow them to weather his poor performance if it continues.

The details

In his first season with the Dodgers in 2025, Tanner Scott posted a 4.74 ERA and 4.70 FIP across 61 games. This was a significant drop-off from the 2.04 ERA and 2.53 FIP he had posted between the Marlins and Padres in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Scott's struggles were so severe that he was unable to pitch at all in the postseason due to a "lower-body abscess incision." The Dodgers are hoping Scott can bounce back in 2026, but the addition of star closer Edwin Diaz in the offseason has provided the team with more bullpen depth to rely on if Scott continues to underperform.

  • Tanner Scott signed a four-year deal with the Dodgers prior to the 2025 season.
  • In the 2025 season, Scott posted a 4.74 ERA and 4.70 FIP across 61 games.
  • Scott was unable to pitch in the 2025 postseason due to a "lower-body abscess incision."

The players

Tanner Scott

A left-handed reliever who signed a four-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers prior to the 2025 season.

Edwin Diaz

A star closer who the Dodgers added in the offseason to provide more depth to their bullpen.

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What they’re saying

“Tanner Scott's first season with the Dodgers may have earned him a ring, but 'a lower-body abscess incision' prevented him from pitching at all in the postseason following a disastrous regular season.”

— Tim Kelly, Bleacher Report Writer

“Scott posted a 4.74 ERA and 4.70 FIP across 61 games during his first season of a four-year deal with the Dodgers. That's a far cry from the 2.04 ERA and 2.53 FIP he posted between the Marlins and San Diego Padres from 2023-24.”

— Tim Kelly, Bleacher Report Writer

What’s next

All the Dodgers can hope is that the lefty bounces back in his second season in LA. If he doesn't, at least the Dodgers won't be as reliant on him this year with the addition of Edwin Díaz in the offseason.

The takeaway

The Dodgers' big-money signing of Tanner Scott has not paid off so far, as the left-handed reliever struggled mightily in his first season with the team. This highlights the risks involved in handing out lucrative long-term deals to relief pitchers, who can be volatile from year to year. However, the Dodgers' addition of star closer Edwin Diaz in the offseason has provided the team with more bullpen depth to rely on if Scott continues to underperform.