As spring rapidly approaches, several high-profile free agents remain unsigned, leaving teams eager for the right moment to strike. Among them, the Atlanta Braves are biding their time, with General Manager Alex Anthopoulos yet to make a significant addition to the Major League roster. However, the wait could soon end, as MLB insider Jon Morosi reports that one of their top offseason targets may make his decision imminently.
Tanner Scott, regarded as the premier bullpen arm on the market, has drawn interest from several teams, including the Braves, the Chicago Cubs, and their perennial rival, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
According to Morosi, Scott is evaluating multiple multiyear contract offers and could reach a decision as soon as this weekend. Initial projections suggested Scott might command a deal exceeding $60 million for three or four years—a hefty price tag justified by his dominant late-inning arsenal, provided he stays healthy.
Scott seems like an ideal fit for the Braves, a team looking to make a splash in free agency this offseason. Earlier in the winter, they came close to signing another reliever before concerns over medical evaluations derailed the deal. Adding Scott’s blazing fastball to their bullpen would provide a critical weapon to counter the NL East’s elite left-handed hitters. His effectiveness was on full display in last season’s NLCS when the Padres utilized him to neutralize Shohei Ohtani.
Still, competition for Scott is fierce. The Cubs are reportedly eager to make a marquee signing, while the Dodgers, with their seemingly limitless resources, remain a constant threat to land another elite player. Scott’s decision will likely have one of the most significant impacts among the remaining free agents.
The Braves don’t often engage in bidding wars with big-market teams, but they have shown a willingness to step up for the right player. With Anthopoulos’ focus on constructing a formidable bullpen, Braves fans are hopeful the team will land Scott and prevent yet another star from heading west to bolster the Dodgers’ already star-studded roster.
