ESPN report: New York Yankees allegedly interested in the super-talented five-star player as trade deadline draws near.
This year’s top three baseball clubs are the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Yankees. The World Series contenders are all being linked to the same guy in MLB trade rumors as the trade deadline draws near.
Despite leading the MLB standings, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and New York all have roster vulnerabilities that need to be addressed. An upgrade at shortstop would help the Dodgers lineup, while a cornerfield addition would help the Phillies and Yankees lineups.
But every club that wants to make the playoffs always looks to bolster its bullpen, and in October, relievers become even more crucial. It clarifies why the most recent MLB rumors link Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New York to the same trade target.
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reports that the Baltimore Orioles are among the teams showing serious interest in Miami Marlins closer Tanner Scott, in addition to the Yankees, Dodgers, and Phillies.
Although Scott hasn’t been selected for an All-Star team, the 29-year-old will probably make that change this summer when he represents the Marlins in the MLB All-Star Game of 2024. Scott, a 6-foot righty, is a free agent in Major League Baseball and is in the final year of his contract. He is due the remaining $5.7 million from his contract.
While Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller is a player whom Yankees fans are yearning for, Scott may be a more logical fit for a front office that isn’t usually interested in the best relievers. While he does have a high walk percentage (16.4%), the Yankees are more interested in swing-and-miss stuff given his 25.9% strikeout rate and his 15.7% swinging strike rate.
Scott would provide the bullpens in Los Angeles and Philadelphia great depth. The Dodgers bullpen (2.98) had the second-best ERA going into today’s MLB games, while the Phillies (3.59) had the 10th-best ERA. Scott, a right-handed reliever, would probably be used as a set-up man for the Yankees, Dodgers, or Phillies if he signs with one of those teams. Even with other MLB teams interested, he should be inexpensive to acquire considering he is only a half-season rental.