The Los Angeles Dodgers made another huge splash on Thursday, reportedly agreeing to a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays to acquire standout right-hander Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot. The deal is contingent on the Dodgers signing Glasnow, who is currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, to a long-term contract extension.
Key Details of Glasnow Trade
- Dodgers receive RHP Tyler Glasnow and OF Manuel Margot
- Rays receive RHP Ryan Pepiot and INF Jonny DeLuca
- Trade contingent on Glasnow signing extension with Dodgers
Glasnow, 29, has been one of baseball’s most dominant starters when healthy. Over 2021-2022, he posted a 2.39 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 34.2% strikeout rate over 212 innings. However, he underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2021 after posting a 2.66 ERA in 14 starts last year.
The trade comes one day after news broke that the Dodgers and AL MVP Shohei Ohtani agreed to a landmark $300 million deal. Adding Glasnow gives Los Angeles a fearsome 1-2 punch atop the rotation once he returns from injury, which is expected to be around mid-2023.
Margot, 28, is a talented and speedy outfielder who hit .254 with 12 home runs and 40 stolen bases over 2022-2023. He helps balance out an All-Star heavy Dodgers lineup.
Extension Key to Finalizing Deal
The trade is contingent on Glasnow agreeing to a contract extension with Los Angeles. He was set to become a free agent after 2023 prior to the trade. Reports indicate the extension will be in the range of 5 years, $80 million, keeping Glasnow in Dodger blue through 2028 if finalized.
Glasnow’s health is the biggest risk factor, but if he returns to prior form, this trade could give the Dodgers three Cy Young caliber starters in Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urias, and Glasnow. At a minimum, it prevents another team like the division rival Padres from trading for the standout starter.
Rays Continue Payroll Purge
Tampa Bay continues its troubling trend of trading away high-paid stars to slash payroll, despite having one of MLB’s most analytically advanced front offices. Glasnow will join Blake Snell and others as homegrown stars shipped away right as they reached peak performance.
The austerity likely relates to the Rays’ ongoing stadium issues playing in Tropicana Field. However, this latest payroll dump sends an ominous signal for fans about the club’s willingness to compete long-term.
In return, the Rays mainly achieve cost savings but do get some value back in young arms Pepiot and DeLuca.
Ryan Pepiot – Started 7 games for LAD in 2022 with 4.05 ERA. Top 100 prospect prior to 2022.
Jonny DeLuca – OBP machine in minors with .408 mark in 2022. Older prospect at 26 but provides depth.
How Trade Impacts Dodgers’ World Series Odds
| Site | World Series Odds |
|---|---|
| FanDuel | +350 –> +325 |
| DraftKings | +380 –> +350 |
The defending champion Houston Astros opened the offseason as consensus World Series betting favorites around +600 odds. But the Dodgers have supplanted them after the signings of Aaron Judge, Justin Verlander, and now trade for Glasnow.
Most sportsbooks have moved Los Angeles to the +300 to +350 range to win it all in 2023. FanDuel dropped the Dodgers from +350 prior to the Glasnow trade down to a league-best +325 following the news.
What Happens Next?
While Ohtani and Glasnow are the Dodgers’ big fish, the rich are expected to keep getting richer this winter. GM Brandon Gomes says they still hope to add bullpen help plus potentially a center fielder.
Top Dodgers Rumors
- Interested in RP Taylor Rogers
- CF Cody Bellinger likely to sign elsewhere
- Remain players for RH RP Kenley Jansen
Bellinger has spent his whole career with Los Angeles but is expected to land a lucrative free agent deal out of their price range. Internally, top prospects James Outman or Andy Pages could compete to start in center.
With Judge, Trea Turner, Ohtani and now Glasnow in the fold, the Dodgers clearly aren’t content just winning their second ring in 2020. The franchise eyes its first championship three-peat since 1988 and this winter’s shock and awe tactics suggest that goal is very much in reach.
No other team can match the Dodgers’ financial might and prospect capital. And this trade for Glasnow is the latest overwhelming indicator that Los Angeles’ window of dominance still has room to grow even wider.
The rich keep getting richer this winter in baseball – and the Dodgers are exhibit A as the sport’s undisputed heavyweight champion.
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