Padres projected to lose $65 million star to one of 2024’s greatest disappointments

The San Diego Padres executed a number of moves that made their surprise 2024 run in the postseason possible. It began with trading for Dylan Cease right before the season got started and the offense received some love with the trade to acquire Luis Arráez. However, the biggest flurry of activity came at the MLB trade deadline when the Padres completely remade their bullpen with the acquisition of Tanner Scott and others.

While the Padres didn't use Scott as their closer very often, his ability to deliver in high-leverage situations during his short tenure with the team was never in question. In 28 appearances with San Diego, Scott posted a 2.73 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 26.1 innings of work. Not too shabby at all.

Unfortunately, Scott's time with the Padres was always destined to be short-lived. Scott became a free agent after the 2024 season and is considered to be one of the top relief arms available. He doesn't have a new team just yet, but it does seem like Scott's market is coming into focus with one of the more disappointing teams from last season, the Texas Rangers, being the latest team connected to the reliever.

Former Padres reliever Tanner Scott drawing interest from the Rangers

Coming off a World Series win in 2023, most thought that the Rangers would factor into the postseason conversation last season. However, a series of injuries and underperformance from their stars resulted in a 78-84 record. With closer Kirby Yates a free agent following an outstanding season, Texas certainly could use an arm like Scott at the backend of their bullpen.

The Rangers are hardly the only team that could use Scott this offseason, and one can expect a number of contenders (or at least those who want to be) to in on him including, but not limited to, the Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants. Scott's projected $65-million price tag this offseason will keep some of those teams from making competitive bids, but there are plenty of deep pockets that will have interest.

Where Scott ends up will be a storyline worth following this offseason, but a return to the Padres seems unlikely. In terms of reunions, bringing back Jurickson Profar is going to be a higher priority than reuniting with Scott given the depth in San Diego's relief corps. There is a world where other deals fall through and San Diego circles back to Scott if he is still available, but that seems pretty farfetched.

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