Ex-MLB GM Calls Red Sox ‘Clear Front-Runners’ For High-Impact Pitcher

The Red Sox could really use a right-handed hitter, which is why The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, a former MLB general manager, predicted Monday that Boston ultimately will sign Alex Bregman.

But Bregman isn’t the only notable free agent Bowden believes will end up with Boston when the dust settles this offseason.

Bowden also predicted the Red Sox will sign left-handed reliever Tanner Scott.

“The most-impactful closer on the market has yet to sign and teams are lining up for him but waiting for the asking price to drop,” Bowden wrote. “The Red Sox are the clear front-runners for Scott. Their chief baseball officer, Craig Breslow, was a left-handed reliever in his playing days and seems obsessed with corralling lefty pitchers: He’s already signed three of them in free agency (Patrick Sandoval, Aroldis Chapman, Justin Wilson) and acquired two more via trades (Garrett Crochet, Jovani Moran). Red Sox manager Alex Cora prefers a single closer and Scott is the best one available.”

The Red Sox are without an obvious closer, with Kenley Jansen a free agent after spending two seasons in Boston. They have options — i.e., Chapman, Liam Hendriks and Justin Slaten — but Scott would elevate the bullpen to another level.

The 30-year-old southpaw evolved into an elite reliever with the Miami Marlins over the last couple of seasons before a trade to the San Diego Padres at the 2024 MLB trade deadline. He has experience both as a closer and a setup man, so Cora theoretically could give him the ninth inning or opt for a more fluid high-leverage role.

Whatever the case, the Red Sox presumably won’t be alone if they heavily pursue Scott on the open market this winter. Bowden pointed to the Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants as “strong candidates” to sign Scott, before then listing the Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers as other possible destinations.

Scott posted a 1.75 ERA across 72 appearances (72 innings) with the Fish and Friars last season. He struck out 10.5 batters per nine innings and earned an All-Star selection.