The Philadelphia Phillies will make changes to the roster this offseason to attempt to finally get over the hump and win a World Series championship. The team’s playoff success has regressed since the 2022 World Series appearance against the Houston Astros.
The 2024 Major League Baseball Winter Meetings are set to begin Dec. 9. This is typically the busiest time of the offseason when free agent deals and trades are made.
There have been countless rumors about what Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and the rest of the staff will do to improve the roster. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi believes a 2024 All-Star closer would be a “really good fit” for the Phillies.
Free agent closer Tanner Scott would be a 'really good fit' with the Phillies
The Phillies featured one of the top pitching staffs in the majors in 2024 with the eighth-best ERA. The starting rotation had a combined 3.81 ERA, tied for the sixth-best in baseball even with the No. 5 starter debacle. The bullpen had a combined 3.94 ERA thanks largely to All-Star relievers Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm.
The Phillies may lose two late-inning, high-leverage relievers heading into 2025. Hoffman and Carlos Estévez are both free agents. Dombrowski will likely look to add a significant bullpen arm to compensate for those potential losses.
“You talk about the Phillies and their need for relief pitching, given the issues they've had with their bullpen in the last couple of years,” Morosi said on MLB Network’s Hot Stove. “I think (Tanner) Scott, for me, is a really good fit in Philadelphia.”
Tanner Scott is arguably the best reliever available in this year’s free agent class. The 30-year-old enjoyed an incredible season in 2024 starting with the Miami Marlins before being traded to the San Diego Padres at the deadline.
Scott began his major league career with the Baltimore Orioles in 2017 before joining the Marlins in 2022, where he transitioned to a closer.
The left-hander found a new gear in 2023. He posted a 2.31 ERA with 24 holds, 16 saves and 104 strikeouts in 78 innings pitched.
Scott took his play to an even higher level in 2024, owning a 1.18 ERA with 18 saves in 20 opportunities in 45 2/3 innings for the Marlins. He earned the first All-Star selection of his career and was traded to the Padres to help shore up their bullpen for a playoff push. He finished the season with a 1.75 ERA, 11 holds, 22 saves in 24 opportunities and 84 strikeouts in 72 innings pitched. He allowed only three home runs and opponents hit .179 against him.
Scott is projected to sign a four-year deal worth north of $16 million annually, per Spotrac. He would provide the Phillies with a dominant and reliable closer who can shut down offenses late in games.