Shohei Ohtani gives shoutout to Tanner Scott as he signs $72,000,000 deal with Dodgers

Tanner Scott was the latest big name to join the Los Angeles Dodgers. The reliever has reportedly signed a four-year, $72 million contract days after the team were successful in pursuing young Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki. The 30-year-old received a special welcome from Shohei Ohtani.

On Instagram, Shohei Ohtani posted a story of Tanner Scott's move to the LA Blue.

Shohei Ohtani's Instagram story for Tanner Scott (Source: Instagram @shoheiohtani)

Scott was arguably the best reliever last year, going 9-6 with a 1.75 ERA during his split time between the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres. The Marlins dealt him to the Padres ahead of the trade deadline, after he had notched 18 saves in 44 appearances.

As one of the main closers available in the free market, Scott was attached to a number of high-profile teams including the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets and Atlanta Braves.

Tanner Scott has improved his whiff rate in the past few seasons. The southpaw generated just .134 batting against his opponents last year. His fastball average reached an impressive 97 mph and he struck out at least 28% of all batters he faced in the past three seasons.

The former Orioles draft pick joins an already strong Dodgers bullpen that were heavily influential in getting them postseason success. It includes Michael Kopech, Brusdar Graterol and recently extended Blake Treinen among others.

Los Angeles Dodgers payroll to go past $375 million

With an $18 million annual average value for Tanner Scott's deal, the Dodgers' overall payroll for the 2025 season will exceed the $375 million limit. They will have to pay luxury tax, which will directly affect their draft signings and international bonus pool for the future.

In hindsight, the Dodgers getting Roki Sasaki at virtually nothing with respect to their payroll may have acted as a major boost in them beating their other competitors for Scott. Los Angeles has to pay Sasaki a signing bonus of $6.5 million for his international bonus pool deal, which will not amount to the luxuy tax payroll.

However, the team has already made the heavy weight signing of Blake Snell for a five-year, $182 million deal this season and has heavy weight contracts of Tyler Glasnow (32.5 million AAV), Mookie Betts ($30 million AAV), Freddie Freeman ($27.5 million AAV) etc. to cater to.