The Los Angeles Dodgers have given out nearly $200 million on reliever contracts over the past two offseasons. They signed Edwin Diaz to a massive free agency deal just a couple of weeks ago, and last offseason, the Dodgers front office went on a spree to acquire Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates, and retain Blake Treinen.
Los Angeles ended up winning the 2025 World Series with neither Scott, Yates, nor Treinen being a major factor in their bullpen efforts. For Tanner Scott, it was an especially disappointing season, as he was coming off a stellar 2024 season with the San Diego Padres. However, a recent prediction should instill some confidence in Dodgers fans that Tanner Scott will return to his All-Star form.
More MLB on Heavy: Former Yankees, Dodgers Pitcher Announces Retirement from MLB
Tanner Scott Named ‘Bounceback’ Candidate
MLB.com recently published a piece naming one ‘bounceback’ candidate for each MLB team as 2026 approaches.
For the Dodgers, writer Sonja Chen believes it will be Tanner Scott who will put behind him his first season in a Dodger uniform:
Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesTanner Scott was booed by Dodgers fans Monday.
“The Dodgers uncharacteristically splurged on a reliever in the 2024-25 offseason, signing Scott to a four-year, $72 million deal. For the most part, that move did not particularly pay off in Scott’s first season in L.A., in which he recorded a 4.74 ERA with an MLB-worst 10 blown saves and did not pitch in the postseason due to an abscess in his lower body.”
Chen also writes that the Dodgers are optimistic that he can rebound going forward and be a force in the back-end of the bullpen once again.
Scott gave up far more home runs in 2025, which correlates to the inflated ERA. Over 57 innings pitched, Scott gave up 11 home runs (by far the highest mark in his career).
More MLB on Heavy: Bravesâ $72 Million Star Predicted to âBouncebackâ In 2026
Tanner Scott Had Been Stellar With the Marlins and Padres
For a little comparison with the stat above, Tanner Scott pitched 150 innings in 2023 and 2024 with the Marlins and Padres, and gave up just six home runs total.
If Scott falls in line with his BaseballReference.com projections, he might be in line for being a total bounce-back player like Chen indicates.
The statistical database projects Tanner Scott to post a 3.54 ERA over 61 innings pitched and 64 strikeouts.
With the Dodgers signing Edwin Diaz, the stress may be alleviated from Scott, as he had been Los Angeles’s primary closer.
Some reports this offseason have also indicated that Scott had been hurt for longer than the time he was out for in 2025, and manager Dave Roberts was just unaware of it.
Scott had flashes in his first season as a Dodger as a pitcher who can be used in high-leverage spots out of the bullpen, but he will likely have to regain that trust from the Dodgers’ coaching staff in 2026.
More MLB on Heavy: Ex-Dodgers, Red Sox World Series Champion Pitcher Calls It Quits After 13 MLB Seasons
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Dodgers Prediction Has $72 Million Pitcher Reverting Back to All-Star form in 2026 appeared first on Heavy Sports.