The Los Angeles Dodgers just made plenty of waves throughout the baseball world by signing Shohei Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million contract. They also made waves by the way that contract was structured, as it allows them to continue making significant additions this winter. One of those moves could include a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays for starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow.
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Ohtani is the definition of a unicorn because of his elite ability to hit and pitch. However, he's currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and won't be on a big-league mound until at least 2025. So, the Dodgers are using the financial flexibility granted to them by Ohtani to go after starting rotation upgrades.
One of those options is coveted free-agent hurler Yoshinobu Yamamoto, according to Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated. But that doesn't mean the Dodgers' front office isn't active in the trade market. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic is reporting that Los Angeles is trying to land Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot from Tampa Bay in exchange for pitcher Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Johnny Deluca.
The Dodgers are discussing a trade in which they would get RHP Tyler Glasnow and OF Manuel Margot from the Rays for RHP Ryan Pepiot and OF Jonny Deluca, sources tell @TheAthletic. Deal not complete. Changes possible. Financial exchange likely. On it: @Bnicklaus7, @AzoulayHaron
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 13, 2023
Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times confirms the Rays and Dodgers are in active trade discussions. He also makes sure to note nothing is done yet. This would prove to be a huge short-term boost to Los Angeles' starting rotation. Roster Resource currently has the following five slotted into that portion of the roster:
- Walker Buehler
- Bobby Miller
- Ryan Pepiot
- Ryan Yarbrough
- Emmet Sheehan
So, just in case there's a thought out there that landing Glasnow could take the Dodgers out of the Yamamoto sweepstakes, that's probably not the case.
Glasnow has seen his name run through the trade rumor mill most of the offseason. He's set to make $25 million next year after posting a 10-7 record with a 3.53 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 162 strikeouts in 120 innings pitched. The hurler is also currently projected to hit free agency following the 2024 season.
