Dodgers are Fishing for Rays
Tyler Glasnow has signed an extension with the Los Angeles Dodgers making the trade between the Dodgers and the Rays official. Earlier this week the two teams had agreed to a deal where RHP Tyler Glasnow (30) & outfielder Manuel Margot (29) would be moved to Los Angeles in exchange for RHP Ryan Pepiot (26) & outfielder Jonny Deluca (25). The move has value for both teams as the Rays are getting talented young players in exchange for established big leaguers who will get some money off their books.
The big head-scratcher here is why the Rays wouldn’t pay for Glasnow. This team won 99 games last year and with a few additions could very well be entrenched in the playoff race. The Rays are currently 26/30 when it comes to team payrolls for 2024 while the Dodgers sit a 9/30 so they have the money to spend and need pitching. The point is that I am a little disappointed in Tampa for not trying to sign their guy. I will note that since 2021 Glasnow has undergone Tommy John surgery and suffered another injury related to his oblique which left him sidelined for some time in 2023 and there is long-term injury concern. Who knows? This deal could very much work out for Tampa the same way it did when Tampa made the move to grab Glasnow in the first place. For those who don’t remember this fleecing of a deal back on July 31, 2018, Glasnow was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays, along with Austin Meadows and a player to be named later (Shane Baz) for Chris Archer.
What’s done, is done. Glasnow has inked himself a 5-year extension valued at $136.5 million. The money and years make sense and I think this is a deal that will work out well for both teams. If the Dodgers get 3 good years out of Glasnow, this is a win in my book. As for the Rays, they are getting a talented arm in Ryan Pepiot (Indianapolis-born!) and a promising prospect.
One thing I love about this deal after reading more into it…Shohei Ohtani’s role in recruitment. According to The Athletic, it was reported that Shohei Ohtani had played some part in recruiting Glasnow to Los Angeles. Ohtani had supposedly sent Glasnow a video in which he expressed his desire to play together. The Rays had to trade Glasnow, but the deal wasn’t complete until Glasnow reached an agreement on an extension. I can’t help but think having the best player in the world send you a personal video message expressing interest in playing together played a part in this deal.
In conclusion, Glasnow is one of the most curious players in the MLB due to his raw talent and his health. Will he ever eclipse 120 total innings in a season with the Dodgers? A question that is probably keeping Dodger executives up at night. Baseball is better with its stars playing and that includes Tyler Glasnow. I wish all the best for both teams and the four players included in this deal.
Tyler Glasnow Stats:
2023
2.0 WAR | 10-7 | 3.53 ERA | 120 IP | 162 K | 1.083 WHIP
Career
7.1 WAR | 30-27 | 3.89 ERA | 529.2 IP | 678 K | 1.206 WHIP
If you have not already please consider subscribing below so we can quit our jobs!