Everyone who knows anything about the Texas Rangers knows that they always need to upgrade their bullpen.

This winter is no different as Rangers leverage relievers Jose Leclerc, David Robertson, and Kirby Yates are all free agents.

If you’ve been following the Rangers for a long time, you know they are not the organization to spend big money on relievers.

From short-term deals with guys like Kirby Yates and Will Smith to breakout closers like Shawn Tolleson and Jose Leclerc, the Rangers closer has rarely been a big-market free agent.

However, a report came out last week that would have that trend change.

The Athletic predicted that the Rangers could nab All-Star closer Tanner Scott on a contract somewhere in the range of 4 years $65 million.

Let’s break down the report of Scott landing with the Rangers and see if it makes sense and if it’s likely to happen.

It’s important to note that Scott has been one of the best relievers in all of baseball the last few seasons.

According to FanGraphs Scott was the most valuable reliever in all of MLB the past two seasons.

In 2024, while spending time with both the Marlins and Padres, Scott posted an ERA of 1.75 in 72.0 innings. In the postseason with San Deigo, Scott didn’t allow an earned run in 4.1 innings.

With all that being said, there is undoubtedly a fit between Scott and the Rangers. The 6’0 lefty would instantly slide in as the closer.

In a sense, the Rangers could afford to sign Scott to that contract which would roughly be $16.5 million per season but knowing the other upgrades the team still has to make, a deal like that would leave little room to stay below the luxury tax.

Let’s take Nathan Eovaldi for example. If the Rangers want to sign Scott and also resign Eovaldi, that would put them at roughly $41 million added to the payroll next season which is far more than Texas wants to spend to stay below the tax.

Not to mention a backup catcher which the Rangers would still need to add and another outfield bat which they would also like.

Another key factor in this argument is that the Texas bullpen is likely going to need a fixing of 2-3 arms and not one.

Signing Tanner Scott won’t magically fix the Rangers’ bullpen woes because they still need people to get the ball to him.

Sure, there is a world in which the Rangers sign Scott to a deal like the aforementioned one but it’s a very risky one.

Anytime you spend that kind of money on a player who only gets three to six outs, it’s easy to wonder if funds would be better spent elsewhere.

Especially when you’re trying to perform the type of financial gymnastics that the Rangers front office is attempting this winter.

It wouldn’t seem that signing Scott to a $16.5 million deal would be something that Texas would be likely to do but in the ever-changing world of baseball, you truly never know.