When the Los Angeles Dodgers secured Tanner Scott with a four-year, $72 million contract this offseason, they anticipated the left-handed pitcher would strengthen their bullpen’s late-inning relief. Scott arrived following an All-Star season split between the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres, where he recorded an impressive 1.75 ERA over 72 appearances; however, his early performance with the Dodgers has been inconsistent, highlighting the challenges of living up to such a contract immediately.
At 30 years old, Scott currently holds a 3.98 ERA in 31.2 innings pitched, marking his highest ERA since 2022. His struggles have included five blown saves this season, with three of those coming in just the past three weeks. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recognizes that Scott’s substantial deal has created lofty expectations but cautions that expecting flawless results at this stage is not realistic, as he told Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group.
“Yes, it does. And you can look at any big contract and that’s unrealistic,” Roberts agreed. “I think for me we signed him to take the baseball, to pitch in whatever role. He’s doing that. And also the point is, we’re betting on him not just for the season but for the postseason. “I do think a guy that has taken the baseball deserves some grace in the infancy of his contract. Because he’s not perfect. He’s never going to be perfect.” —Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager
Players signing major deals often face early hurdles adjusting on the mound, and Scott is no exception. His slightly decreased fastball velocity compared to last season and some mechanical issues have contributed to his uneven showings. Although throwing more strikes than ever, Scott is experiencing fewer swings and misses, coupled with harder contact from opposing hitters.
Challenges Caused by Pitch Location and Adaptation
Roberts has pointed out that Scott’s biggest difficulty has been finishing off batters after two strikes, a problem linked to leaving too many pitches over the heart of the strike zone. The Dodgers, aiming to reduce walks, asked Scott to pitch more frequently within the strike zone, a strategy that has led to more balls put into play but fewer free passes.
This shift represents a trade-off, as tighter control of the strike zone can increase hitters’ opportunities to make contact. Nevertheless, Scott’s ongoing adjustments with the Dodgers’ pitching coaches have gradually helped him improve these aspects, bringing him closer to the level the team expected when they made the significant investment.
Long-Term Expectations and Postseason Role
Roberts emphasized that the contract is a long-term commitment rather than a short-term bet, with hopes that Scott’s performance will stabilize and peak during the postseason. While the early struggles have been frustrating for both player and team, patience is considered crucial given Scott’s role as a key bullpen piece moving forward.
The Dodgers’ management acknowledges the situation’s complexity and understands that complete perfection is unattainable, especially during the initial stages of such a new and high-profile contract. Scott’s capacity to adjust and evolve will be closely monitored as the season continues.