Dodgers to acquire and extend Tyler Glasnow as part of trade with Rays

The Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a deal on Thursday to acquire star right-hander Tyler Glasnow as well as veteran outfielder Manuel Margot from the Tampa Bay Rays. Two former highly rated prospects within the Dodgers system in right-hander Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny Deluca comprise the return for the Rays.

I was the first to report the full trade package that was nearing completion on Tuesday night, alongside my colleague Jack Azoulay-Haron of MLBNerds.

Sources tell me and @AzoulayHaron that RHP Ryan Pepiot and Jonny DeLuca are expected to be in the return to Tampa Bay as the Dodgers acquire RHP Tyler Glasnow and OF Manuel Margot

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) December 13, 2023

Jeff Passan of ESPN was the first to report the deal was fully agreed upon, and to connect a Glasnow extension to the deal, which he believes will get done.

The extension window for Tyler Glasnow opened this morning, sources said, and there is a strong belief from those involved that it will get done. Details on the trade and everything it entails are live at ESPN: https://t.co/yxyor801Qu

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 15, 2023

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In an offseason where starting pitching was the biggest need, the Dodgers are making a huge splash to acquire Glasnow. A certified ace when healthy, durability is the main concern with Glasnow’s profile. His 21 starts in 2023 marked the first time Glasnow surpassed 20 starts in his eight seasons as a big leaguer.

Glasnow, 30, steps immediately to the front of the Los Angeles pitching staff upon his acquisition. He has struck out over 12 batters per nine innings over the last three seasons, to go with a 3.10 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. Previously set to hit free agency after the 2024 season, he will remain a Dodger into the future, should his extension get completed. They may not be done acquiring top pitching, but with this trade, they have acquired at least one ace-level talent this offseason.

Enjoy some highlights of Tyler Glasnow shoving last season pic.twitter.com/llsamU7b4Z

— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) December 15, 2023

Margot, 29, is the other piece heading to Los Angeles. A knee injury contributed to struggles across the board for Margot last season, but going back a year, Margot posted a .346/.414/.462/.875 slash line against left-handed pitching in 2022. Also, Josh had an interesting note that’s worth following.

One more note on Manuel Margot – it’s entirely possible that he just doesn’t see the ball well in the Trop. His splits the last two years:

Home: .242/.297/.314
Road: .295/.337/.435

A 160 point difference in OPS is definitely noteworthy.

— Josh Thomas (@jokeylocomotive) December 13, 2023

His contract is one the Rays were looking to unload. Margot will make $10 million in base salary next year, with a $12 million team option for 2025, according to Spotrac. If he remains with the Dodgers, Margot is likely to fill in a platoon role in the outfield against left-handed pitching, much like Deluca was slated to before this trade.

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Many Dodger fans have been surprised by Pepiot’s inclusion as the centerpiece of Tampa Bay’s return. Pepiot, 26, made great use of his time on the field last year, posting a 2.14 ERA in 42 innings for the Dodgers.

Pepiot dealt with an oblique issue that held him out for a large portion of 2023, but his performance down the stretch was encouraging. The command issues that had held him back during his first nine Major League games in 2022 were seemingly a thing of the past, and the right-hander was likely to be part of the Opening Day rotation in 2024.

However, with the plethora of young and talented right-handed starters nearing the majors for Los Angeles, they will be able to fill in for Pepiot’s absence. As the rotation currently stands, more innings will be available for right-handers Emmet Sheehan and Gavin Stone. Other prospects who have not yet made starts in the big leagues, like Kyle Hurt, Nick Frasso and River Ryan, will likely also see chunks of MLB time next season.

Lastly, Deluca, 25, was primed to enter camp with a good chance at making the Opening Day roster. The current roster layout saw Deluca penciled into the outfield for most starts against left-handed pitching. With plus speed and good defense at all three outfield spots, Deluca would have likely been a valuable player for the Dodgers moving forward. Instead, he will attempt to establish himself as a full-time big leaguer with Tampa Bay next season.

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After the Glasnow business is finished, the next task on Andrew Friedman’s list could be to pursue free agent right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported prior to the trade news on Thursday that the Dodgers would still be “all-in” on Yamamoto even if the reported Glasnow package was completed.

The official press conference to announce two-way star Shohei Ohtani‘s record-breaking signing took place just over an hour prior to when the Glasnow trade was reported as done. Should the Dodgers add Yamamoto as well in the coming days or weeks, these recent acquisitions could go down as one of the greatest offseason stretches in the history of the sport. The Dodgers are seemingly committed to building a juggernaut roster heading into the 2024 season and beyond.