Red Sox Rumors: Here’s ‘Top Priority’ After Missing Out On Tanner Scott

The Boston Red Sox came up short in their pursuit of Tanner Scott, but Craig Breslow and company reportedly still are looking to make another big addition this offseason.

Scott, the top reliever on the free agent market, agreed to a four-year, $72 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend. One report indicates the Red Sox offered Scott a longer deal with a higher annual salary than what he received from the Dodgers; another report indicates Boston wasn’t close.

Regardless, Scott now is off the market, and the Red Sox are focused on filling other roster needs, according to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.

“Sources continue to indicate that adding a right-handed bat is still Boston’s top priority with bullpen help being looked at as a secondary need,” Cotillo wrote Sunday. “Free agent Alex Bregman and Cardinals trade candidate Nolan Arenado remain the two big-name — yet imperfect — fits the Red Sox have considered.

“Boston could be waiting on either Bregman (short-term deal?) or the Cardinals (salary dump?) to get desperate as spring training draws closer. Beyond Bregman and Arenado, there’s a limited list of righty-hitting options that includes free agent Randal Grichuk and Cubs trade candidate Seiya Suzuki.”

It’s hard to gain a good sense of where the Red Sox stand on Bregman and Arenado — and Rafael Devers and Triston Casas, for that matter.

Some reports indicate Boston is the likeliest landing spot for Bregman, while others suggest the Red Sox prefer to trade for Arenado. Bregman’s lack of interest in a short-term contract could be the main hang-up in negotiations with the Red Sox.

One thing is certain: If the Red Sox fail to land an impact bat this offseason, criticism from fans and local reporters will grow even louder.

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