Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees reportedly eyeing same trade target

The Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees have established themselves as the best teams in baseball this year. With the MLB trade deadline approaching, the World Series contenders are all being connected to the same player in MLB trade rumors.

While Philadelphia, Los Angeles and New York are at the top of the MLB standings, there are weaknesses to address on each roster. The Dodgers lineup could improve with an upgrade at shortstop, while the Phillies lineup and Yankees lineup would benefit from adding someone in the corner.

However, every playoff-caliber team is always looking to improve its bullpen with relievers making an even bigger difference in October. It explains why Los Angeles, Philadelphia and New York are all being connected to the same trade target in the latest MLB rumors.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees, Dodgers and Phillies are joined by the Baltimore Orioles among the teams with legitimate interest in Miami Marlins closer Tanner Scott.

Scott isn’t an All-Star selection, but the 29-year-old will likely change that this summer as the Marlins’ representative in the 2024 MLB All-Star Game. A 6-foot righty, Scott is in the last year of his deal before hitting MLB free agency and would be owed the remaining portion of his $5.7 million salary for the season.

Tanner Scott stats (FanGraphs): 1.30 ERA, 0.33 HR/9, .134 batting average allowed 1.16 WHIP

While Yankees fans are clamoring for Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller, Scott might be a player who is a more logical fit for a front office that doesn’t often go after the top relievers. He does have a high walk rate (16.4 percent), but his 25.9 percent strikeout rate and career 15.7 percent Swinging Strike rate highlight swing-and-miss stuff that the Yankees are targeting.

As for Los Angeles and Philadelphia, Scott would add excellent depth to either bullpen. Entering MLB games today, the Dodgers bullpen ranked second in ERA (2.98) while the Phillies (3.59) are 10th. If Scott lands with the Yankees, Dodgers or Phillies, the right-handed reliever would likely become a set-up man for his new team. Because he’s a half-season rental, he should also be affordable to acquire even with several MLB teams interested.