The Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2024 World Series title likely attracted free agents to the franchise this offseason. But, for right-handed reliever Tanner Scott, encouragement from a former teammate could have been the deciding factor in his signing.
Scott, who the Baltimore Orioles drafted in the sixth round of the 2014 MLB draft, played alongside reliever Evan Phillips in Baltimore from 2018-2020. The Atlanta Braves traded Phillips and four other prospects to the Orioles at the 2018 trade deadline, uniting Scott and Phillips for the first time.
After two and half seasons, Phillips signed a minor-league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays in Aug. 2021. But, the Rays designated Phillips for assignment 10 days later.
The Dodgers claimed Phillips off waivers, and the right-hander has been in Los Angeles ever since. Phillips stayed in contact with Scott, despite playing on separate teams.
“We would just talk kind of naturally about my time with the Dodgers and how much I’ve learned and grown from being a Dodger,” Phillips said to Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain at spring training.
Scott spent the rest of the 2021 season with the Orioles before Baltimore traded him at the last minute to the Miami Marlins in the offseason. Then, the Marlins traded Scott to the San Diego Padres at the 2024 trade deadline.
Scott elected free agency this offseason for the first time in his career, creating the possibility for a potential reunion with Phillips.
“He had the choice this offseason about where he wanted to go, and I just extended you know any kind of help I could,” Phillips said to McKain. “I would tease him here and there and say, ‘Hey man, are we gonna be throwing partners again?’”
