Dodgers analyst identifies 2 crucial signings to follow Roki Sasaki’s addition
The Los Angeles Dodgers completed the signing of young Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki after his sweepstakes were down to them, San Diego Padres and the Toronto Blue Jays. Even though the Dodgers seem to be set for the 2025 season, there might be one or two moves left in them.
On the Dodgers Territory podcast, Alana Rizzo and Clint Pasilas discussed the possibility of the team making a few more additions before the start of the season.
Pasilas felt that because the team saved a lot of money by signing Sasaki through the international bonus pool, which won't directly affect their payroll, they could sign reliever Tanner Scott, the best available reliever in the market, and re-sign Kike Hernandez.
"Signing a dude for - 6.5 million that doesn't count against the luxury tax this year. Roki would just count as a bonus, so that doesn't count towards your luxury tax. So it's like the Dodgers really didn't sign anybody outside of the major league minimum, which means you have more money for Tanner Scott
"Tanner Scott do you want to win a freaking World Series? Come to LA, but you know, do it at a reasonable price. But that's what I want to see. I want to see Kike. That's what's left on my shopping list. If I'm going crazy and we're just getting it all and making everybody in baseball hate us, Tanner Scott, Kik Hernandez, come on down," Pasilas said. [19:02]
Looking at Tanner Scott and Kike Hernandez sweepstakes involving the Dodgers and other teams
Tanner Scott has been widely looked at as the best back-end reliever left in the market.
As per market projections, he's expected to sign a three or four-year contract around the annual average value of $20 million. Alongside the Dodgers, the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta Braves remain in the hunt. As per Jon Morosi of the MLB Network, Scott could sign by the end of this week.
Kike Hernandez was one of the brightest spots in the Dodgers offense during their title-winning postseason. He hit 15-for-51 with a .294 average and six RBIs, including two home runs.
The infielder was crucial in increasing infield depth, playing at different positions in a utility role. The 33-year-old is most likely headed back to the Dodgers, with some insiders projecting a possible Chicago move.