MLB insider weighs in on $20,000,000 AAV All-Star's suitors in free agency

Free agent reliever Tanner Scott is one of the top high-leverage arms available on the market. Several teams, including the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, LA Dodgers and Atlanta Braves have emerged as potential destinations for the standout reliever.

This interest comes as no surprise, given Scott is coming off a career year. He posted a 9-6 record with a 1.77 ERA, 84 strikeouts, and a 1.13 WHIP. Scott began the season with the Miami Marlins before being traded to the San Diego Padres at the deadline.

During a Q&A session on Wednesday's "Baseball Insiders" podcast, MLB insider Robert Murray was asked about the market for Scott, who is reportedly seeking a deal with an average annual value (AAV) of $20 million.

"There’s a lot of teams involved in Tanner Scott here," Murray said (25:26 onwards). "It’s not just the Dodgers, not just the Braves, not just the Red Sox. There are a lot of big-market teams involved, and that comes as no surprise whatsoever for a player as talented as Tanner Scott.

"We even saw Will Sammon of The Athletic report that Scott met with the Mets. There’s just a high level of big-market teams involved, which is only going to drive the price up more. That’s why there was a report in Boston the other day that Scott’s annual average value could approach $20 million a year."

Robert Murray feels $20 million is steep for a reliever but Tanner Scott "deserves" it

Edwin Diaz, closer for the New York Mets, is the highest-paid reliever in baseball, earning $20.4 million annually. Josh Hader of the Houston Astros follows at $19 million per year. Taijuan Walker, Kenley Jansen and Ryan Pressly round out the top five highest-paid relievers in MLB.

Tanner Scott is reportedly looking to surpass all of them with a new deal this offseason. While $20 million may seem high for a reliever who, at best, will pitch around 70 innings in a season, Murray emphasized Scott’s value

"That’s a lot of coin for a veteran reliever, but he has been dominant in recent years, especially during his first half with the Miami Marlins last year," Murray added. "He’s certainly deserving of it, for sure. I can tell you his market is extensive from what I’ve gathered."

With numerous big-market contenders in the mix, Scott’s free agency journey promises to be one to watch closely.