The Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent reliever Tanner Scott to a four-year, $72 million contract on Sunday morning. This is a significant loss for the San Diego Padres, and another victory for their NL West opponents. With Scott’s arrival in Los Angeles, the Dodgers’ bullpen is complete. Meanwhile, the Padres have not made a major league signing or trade.
Scott’s signing with the Dodgers comes only two days after Roki Sasaki revealed his decision to join the defending World Series champions. The Japanese phenom’s declaration dealt a crushing blow to the Padres, who were on the verge of signing Sasaki.
What was even more devastating about the Sasaki sweepstakes was that the Padres failed to make the final two suitors in the competition.
The Toronto Blue Jays and Dodgers were the final teams under consideration. Scott’s departure from the Padres’ bullpen was fairly inevitable, since the reliever was seeking a substantial contract that San Diego could not offer.
While the Dodgers continue to add to their star-studded lineup, the Padres are still experiencing a frigid winter. The organization will need to make a flurry of transactions before spring training, but they are also faced with the budgetary challenge of spending less.
How does a club acquire more talent while spending less? It’s clear the Padres are still figuring out how, but they’ve made startling moves in the past to stay competitive with division opponents.
San Diego was one win away from the National League Championship Series, and the franchise spent far less than the Dodgers.
At the end of the day, Scott’s departure is reminiscent of the reaction to Sasaki’s signing, as best expressed by president of baseball operations A.J. Preller.
“At the end of the day, we want players that want to be here,” according to Preller. “We’ll move forward and look to add to a really talented roster.”
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