The New York Yankees have recently lost their first-place position in the American League East to the Baltimore Orioles. Despite a rough patch, manager Aaron Boone’s team holds a strong 53-32 record and is well-positioned for a postseason return. With the trade deadline approaching on July 30, general manager Brian Cashman might bolster the bullpen by acquiring Miami Marlins reliever Tanner Scott.
Chris Kirschner and Brendan Kuty from The Athletic proposed six hypothetical trades to address the Yankees’ current roster issues. Former general manager Jim Bowden provided his critique on each. One notable proposal involves bringing Scott to the Bronx:
**Yankees receive:** left-handed pitcher Tanner Scott
**Marlins receive:** shortstop Oswald Peraza and utility player Oswaldo Cabrera
Bowden remarked, “The Marlins should jump at this offer because I don’t think they’re going to do any better elsewhere. Peraza would become the Marlins’ starting shortstop and Cabrera their super-utility player. Both of them are blocked by better players on the Yankees, which makes them expendable. Peraza still has significant upside despite not showing it in the Bronx.”
What Scott Could Bring to the Yankees’ Bullpen
New York’s bullpen has been largely average in 2024. The unit’s combined 3.73 ERA ranks 14th in MLB, while their 1.4 fWAR is 17th, according to FanGraphs. Closer Clay Holmes has been a standout in his final year before free agency, posting a 2.65 ERA through 34 innings. However, acquiring another high-leverage reliever with late-inning experience for the stretch run is always beneficial.
This is where Tanner Scott could significantly benefit the Yankees. Since joining the Marlins in 2022, his performance has consistently improved. He recorded a 4.31 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 2022, a 2.31 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 2023, and through his first 35 innings in 2024, he’s posted a 1.54 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP.
The 29-year-old left-handed pitcher is also cost-effective. Scott is earning $5.7 million this season, according to Spotrac, and will enter free agency in November. Given that team owner Hal Steinbrenner might be reluctant to take on significant salary to enhance the roster, Scott could be an excellent fit for the Yankees.
Plenty of Teams Are Interested in Scott
The Marlins signaled their intention to be sellers at the trade deadline on May 4 when they traded infielder Luis Arraez to the San Diego Padres. With a 30-53 record as of June 30, it’s unlikely their stance has changed.
Miami appears motivated to sell and has an attractive trade asset in pitcher Tanner Scott. Unsurprisingly, the market for Scott is expected to be competitive. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported on June 27 that the Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Dodgers, in addition to the Yankees, are interested in the southpaw. Heyman also noted that “many others” are thought to be in the mix for Scott’s services.
If Scott is at the top of the Yankees’ trade deadline wishlist, they’ll face stiff competition from other teams while trying to secure a deal.
