The Chicago Cubs make high value reliever a ‘substantial offer’: Report

UPDATE: The Los Angeles Dodgers signed left-hander Tanner Scott to a four-year deal worth $72 million per Mark Feinsand on X:

BREAKING: Tanner Scott and the Dodgers have agreed to a four-year, $72 million deal, per source.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 19, 2025

The Chicago Cubs have been in the market to add to both their bullpen and their starting rotation this offseason. They added to the latter by inking left-hander Matt Boyd on a two-year deal and right-hander Colin Rea on a one-year deal to possibly go with a six-man rotation to start the season. 

The Cubs added a few pieces to their bullpen by adding former Minnesota Twins lefty Caleb Thielbar to be a weapon for them, as well as minor league signings of righties Ben Heller and Phil Bickford for depth.

The Cubs have been in on the two best reliever options available in Carlos Esteves and Tanner Scott to pair with their emerging closer Porter Hodge in the backend of their bullpen. Recently a development has occurred in one of these closer markets that could sway in the Cub’s favor. 

The Chicago Cubs offer a ‘multi-year deal’ to Tanner Scott

According to Writer and Editor of Twins Daily, and Northside Baseball Matthew Trueblood reported that the Cubs:

NEWS @northsidebaseb: #Cubs have made a “substantial” multi-year offer to Tanner Scott. Much more: https://t.co/7xOtNFCTNu

— Matthew Trueblood (@MATrueblood) January 19, 2025

“Have made a “substantial” multi-year offer to Tanner Scott.”

This would be a huge deal for the Cubs is they don’t give out multi-year deals to late-inning relievers with the last one being given to Craig Kimbrel in 2019 for two years $7 million. 

Adding Scott would greatly boost the bullpen

Adding Scott would massively upgrade the Cubs bullpen with Scott having an outstanding 2024 season that knotted him his first All-Star appearance. In 72 appearances Scott had a 9-6 record with a 1.75 ERA with an ERA+ of 252, 84 strikeouts, and 22 saves in 72 innings. 

Going deeper into Scott’s performance from last season when looking at his Baseball Savant page it is hard to point out which area he excelled with the page just bursting with red. To name a few, Scott ranked in the 100th percentile for exit velocity off the batter bat (84.3pmh), the 96th and 95th for his pitching and fastball run value, and the 92nd percentile for whiff and barrel percentage. 

Spotrac is estimating Scott’s market value to be at a four-year deal worth about $65.6 million. That is a little steep for a closer going into his thirties and who yes had an outstanding season but just started to show promise at the backend of the bullpen during the past two seasons. I feel if the Cubs offer Scott a deal similar to that of Raisel Iglesias (four-years $58 million) then that would get the deal done.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-make-reliever-a-big-offer-report?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chicago-cubs-make-reliever-a-big-offer-report