Red Sox Should Respond To Dodgers-Tanner Scott Deal With $13 Million All-Star

The Boston Red Sox were linked to one of the top free agents available this offseason but ended up missing out on him.

Boston has been looking to bolster the bullpen throughout the offseason after a topsy-turvy 2024 campaign. The Red Sox's bullpen imploded in the second half of the season and the club responded by signing Aroldis Chapman. Boston also has been one of the teams that have been linked to All-Star flamethrower Tanner Scott in free agency.

While this is the case, the Red Sox did not land him. Scott reportedly landed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

"Breaking: Tanner Scott and the Dodgers have agreed to a four-year, $72 million deal, per source," Feinsand shared.

Scott was the top reliever available on the open market but there are other options for the Red Sox to consider. One player who the team should have their eyes on is one-time All-Star Carlos Estévez. He had a two-year, $13.5 million deal that expired at the end of the 2024 season. He was traded from the Los Angeles Angels to the Philadelphia Phillies and had a 2.45 ERA across 54 appearances.

Estévez remains available on the open market and could provide another high-leverage hurler for the Boston bullpen surely at a discount in comparison to Scott's deal. The Red Sox still likely need one more reliever and now that Scott is off the board, it wouldn't be shocking to see the market heat up quickly. Boston may need to act fast.