"In the East, you've got Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Juan Soto" - Braves insider sees ex-Padres All-Star perfect to counter National League sluggers

The Atlanta Braves have been fairly quiet this offseason, having not made any major additions to their roster.

Braves insider Justin Toscano believes the team needs to add some quality to their pitching staff, as the National League East contains some of the best batters in the MLB. Therefore, he feels Tanner Scott would be a good fit for the team to cope with top-notch sluggers like Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Juan Soto.

Tanner Scott posted the best season of his career in 2024 in his final year before reaching free agency. He earned an All-Star selection for the Miami Marlins before being shipped off to the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline. However, Scott remains unattached to any team even though he's one of the top-rated relief pitchers in the open market this offseason.

Toscano feels Scott has proven himself in the highly competitive NL East and the NL West divisions as he offered his thoughts on the Hammer Territory podcast on Sunday.

"If the money is there, I think Tanner Scott makes a lot of sense," Toscano said. "I was not only impressed with the season he had, but I've watched him in the NL East for a few years, and he was just awesome. And then he goes out to the NL West, and he wins all seven battles against (Shohei) Ohtani in that (Division Series). I would try to put a lot of stock to get him, if I'm the Braves.

"I think Tanner Scott works perfectly, especially when you consider that in the (NL) East, you've got (Bryce) Harper, you've got (Kyle) Schwarber, and now you have (Juan) Soto; that would force (Francisco) Lindor to the right side," he added. "There are all these reasons that I think Tanner Scott profiles so well for this ballclub."

Scott impressed for the Marlins even though they finished at the bottom of the NL East. He was excellent for the Padres in the postseason, giving up just two hits without allowing a run in four playoff appearances.

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"There isn't as much to spend": Justin Toscano on Braves' offseason budget

Tanner Scott is a potential free agent target for the Braves this off-season (Image Source: Imagn)

Justin Toscano expects the Atlanta Braves to make at least one major addition to their roster this offseason. He underlined a starting pitcher and a reliever as the two primary requirements, although he's not sure whether they have the funds to meet their needs.

"I still think the Braves have an impactful move or two up their sleeve," Toscano said. "But I have gotten the sense that there isn't as much to spend as fans might hope.

"I don't know what the budget is, how much there is to spend," he added. "If the Braves aren't spending a ton of money, get a good starting pitcher and then a great reliever."

The four-time World Series champions were knocked out of the playoffs by the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card Series last year.