Ranking free agent relief pitchers for KC Royals to target heading into 2025

1. Tanner Scott, LHP

When the Miami Marlins made Tanner Scott available at the 2024 trade deadline, he was arguably the top reliever on the market. Very little has changed now that he's a free agent, and there's likely to be no shortage of teams interested in adding him to their bullpen this offseason.

Having started his major-league career with the Baltimore Orioles, Scott was traded to the Marlins in April 2022, and it was in Miami that he quickly developed from forgettable reliever to high-leverage bullpen star. Scott's impressive 2023 season — 2.31 ERA in 78 innings — played a significant role in the Marlins' unexpected playoff berth that year, and he went on to sign a 1-year, $5.7 million deal for 2024, his final year of arbitration eligibility. He was traded to the San Diego Padres on July 30, and entered free agency for the first time on October 31.

In 72 innings of work split between the Marlins and Padres this season, Scott went 9-6 with a 1.75 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 84 strikeouts. The left-hander received his first All-Star nod for his 2024 performance, and according to Baseball Savant, he ranked in the 92nd percentile of MLB pitchers in whiff rate, and in the 91st percentile in fastball velocity.

Scott is unquestionably the best left-handed reliever available in free agency this offseason, and he can slot into any position in the bullpen, be it as a closer, set-up man, or any other high-leverage hurler. He and Erceg would be a fierce 1-2 punch at the back of the Royals bullpen.

On October 31, Bowden named the Royals as a "best team fit" for Scott, who Sportrac projects to land a four-year, $65.6 million deal this winter. Whether Kansas City is prepared to pony up that much cash remains to be seen, but the team should definitely make sure they're in the conversation.