Would Tanner Scott to the Cubs Be a Mistake?

Other Team Needs

Here’s another thing: the Cubs’ roster needs more than just a relief pitcher if they plan on making noise in the NL Central division next year. 

Whether it’s a right-handed bat, another corner infielder that may have to take over for rookie Matt Shaw (if he slumps early), or another top-of-the-rotation arm to put between Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga, there are still moves that need to be made. Holes to be filled.

The Financial Reality

I wish there were a world where Hoyer was allowed to spend as much as he wanted on players, after all, it’s Chicago, one of the largest sports markets in the nation next to New York and Los Angeles. With the money being rolled into the Ricketts’ pockets from fans packing up the federal landmark that is Wrigley Field, you would think money wouldn’t be the issue, but here we are.

The harsh reality of all of this is there’s only so much money Jed has to spend, which is a sad thing to say about a Cubs team that, according to Forbes, is worth over $4 billion.

The Risk of Investing in Relief Pitching

Scott has earned himself a nice multi-year contract in 2025. Is it Josh Hader-like? Probably not, but he’s going to be paid nicely. But knowing Hoyer only has so much on the credit card that he can spend, would it be wise to spend it all on the lefty?

The relief pitching market is baseball's biggest “what have you done for me lately” spot. A reliever can have his best career one season and turn around and have the worst year of his career the next; it’s the biggest up-and-down experience in baseball. And I’m not saying Scott is about to have the worst season of his career in 2025, but what if he starts off cold? Ask Hader how the beginning of his 2024 season started.

The Potential Downside

At the end of April, fans were saying Hader's signing was a mistake. Giving up 10 runs and posting a 6+ ERA in his first 15 games, I could understand why. Yeah, things ended up panning out for him, but what if Scott experiences a downgrade in 2025? 

I can read the headline now, “Cubs Have Same Bullpen Problems, Just $20 Million More Expensive.”

Weighing the Options

I’m not saying Scott would be a bad addition to the Cubs’ bullpen. Having a lights-out lefty reliever would be awesome, but would it be wise considering how this Cubs front office operates? 

If they sign Scott, then that’s it. That’s the offseason. Nothing more. There is no big righty-bat addition, no insurance policy at third base if Shaw doesn’t pan out, and no top-tier rotation piece addition. Yeah, there’s still a trade possibility, but with whom? The rumors with the Seattle Mariners and Luis Castillo have died, and then what? Not much.

The Quiet Offseason

The streets of the MLB offseason are quiet, way too quiet. It’s gotten to the point where things are becoming boring, especially for Cubs fans who haven’t had much to talk about as of late. It’s like I’ve been walking in a desert since the middle of December and haven’t seen any signs of life since the Cubs traded for superstar Kyle Tucker. Maybe all of this “boring” is just getting to my head.

Either way, dumping the rest of the Cubs' bank account on Tanner Scott might not be the wisest decision. That’s all I’m saying.