Cubs Finish Second in Race to Sign Top Free Agent Closer
If you ain’t first you’re last and unfortunately that’s the case for the Chicago Cubs as they finished second in the race to sign top free agent closer Tanner Scott.
The left-handed pitcher has reportedly agreed to a four-year contract worth $72 million with none other than the Los Angeles Dodgers. According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, it was down to the Dodgers and Cubs for Scott.
It was down to the Cubs and Dodgers but its LA that adds another top arm. https://t.co/O0yLMLnJZ2
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) January 19, 2025
A disappointing outcome for the Cubs, who are reportedly engaged in talks with several free agent relievers, but you obviously would have wanted them to sign Scott. It’s frustrating because in the back of your mind you kind of know the team didn’t offer as much as the Dodgers and in most cases money is the deciding factor for players.
Even at $18 million per season, the Cubs had plenty of room for Scott in their budget if the first luxury tax tier is their absolute max threshold of spending. What a downer.
(Previous Update)
According to MLB Network analyst and baseball insider Jon Morosi reported that the Chicago Cubs are among the top remaining suitors for free agent Tanner Scott.
Earlier on Friday ESPN’s Jesse Rogers strongly put forward the thought that the Cubs will sign one of the top high-leverage relievers left in free agency. Now, it appears as though the possibility of getting Scott is gaining steam.
The Cubs are among the top remaining suitors for Tanner Scott, sources say.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 18, 2025
Scott could decide from among several multiyear offers this weekend. @MLBNetwork
Sweet. But how real is this?
I like Jon Morosi, seems like a nice guy, and while he’s not the first nor the last reporter to be manipulated by an agent, we all remember the Shohei Ohtani fiasco from last offseason that involved Morosi getting hoodwinked by one of his sources. This mention of the Cubs with Scott kinda feels like a good old fashioned leverage play from the pitcher’s camp.
I mean yeah, the Cubs are looking to add another reliever. Jed Hoyer hasn’t hid the fact that the team will be acquiring a relief pitcher as the team gets closer to the start of spring training. Scott, the top closer available, would be a great fit for the Cubs, who don’t have a proven back-end of the bullpen reliever on their current roster.
The big question remains how willing are the Cubs going to be when it comes to money and years for Scott. The lefty is reportedly seeking a four-year, $80 million contract. That doesn’t mean Scott will get that much, but it’s expected that he’ll get something in the $60 million range.
It’s been a while since the Cubs signed a reliever to a big free agent deal.
The Cubs are turning their attention to the relief market, an area that is proving to be a bit more expensive than hoped. They love Tanner Scott, but… $$$. Kirby Yates is a fit, but what about… $$$. They'll surely find someone. https://t.co/kHzNxwHDQv
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) January 18, 2025
Via The Athletic.
“The Cubs have been enamored of left-handed reliever Tanner Scott for years. They’ve been interested in trading for him, and with him on the open market, they’ve engaged in trying to lure him to Chicago. However, with the Los Angeles Dodgers looking like the favorite, it seems unlikely they can meet his monetary demands.”
So, thanks for the mention Jon, but I’m just not willing to buy into the possibility just yet. Of course, things could change. Maybe Hoyer feels the pressure as he prepares to enter the 2025 season with an expiring contract and finally takes a risk on a top free agent reliever, something he’s been staunchly against during his time running the Cubs.
We’ll see. I do believe the Cubs are in the mix for Scott, but seeing that the Los Angeles Dodgers are also involved in the pursuit, it’s easy to become pessimistic. Fingers crossed though.