Thursday was all about Shohei Ohtani for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they formally introduced their new superstar with a press conference, but shortly following the conclusion of that, it was reported they made a major trade.
The Dodgers have been looking to rebuild their starting pitching rotation all offseason, and they started that off by agreeing to acquire Tyler Glasnow from the Tampa Bay Rays. The deal also includes outfielder Manuel Margot and $4 million in exchange for Ryan Pepiot and Jonny DeLuca.
Although the terms of the trade were in place, it was dependent on Glasnow, who was set to be a free agent following the 2024 season, signing an contract extension with the Dodgers.
That extension was agreed to on Friday morning as Glasnow and the Dodgers agreed to a five-year, $135 million contract, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN:
BREAKING: Right-hander Tyler Glasnow and the Los Angeles Dodgers are finalizing a five-year, $135 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Once the deal is complete, the trade of Glasnow and Manuel Margot from the Rays to the Dodgers for Ryan Pepiot and Jonny DeLuca will be official.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 15, 2023
Glasnow was set to make $25 million in 2024, and the contract begins this season, so the deal is essentially an extension of four years and $110 million, giving him an average annual value of $27 million. The deal also includes a club option for an extra season, which can turn into a player option if declined:
Tyler Glasnow’s deal will start this season, so there are four years and $110 million in new money. The total deal could get to $145M if Dodgers exercise a $30M club option in year 5. If not, Glasnow has a $20M player option. Also of note: There is no deferred money in the deal.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 15, 2023
Since his MLB debut in 2016, Glasnow has only managed to throw 100 innings in a season twice, with the first coming in 2018 with 111.2 and the second in 2023 with 120. However, when he is on the mound, the right-hander is one of the most effective starting pitchers in baseball.
Since first joining the Rays in 2018, Glasnow has posted the fourth-highest strikeouts per nine (12.19), the 4th lowest batting average against (.195) and he is tied for the seventh lowest FIP (3.10) in MLB.
The 30-year-old did not make his 2023 debut until May 27 due to a left oblique strain that was sustained in Spring Training, but he did manage to stay healthy the rest of the season. Glasnow finished 2023 going 10-7 with a 3.53 ERA, 2.91 FIP, 1.08 WHIP and 12.2 strikeouts per nine over 21 starts.
How does Tyler Glasnow fit in with the Dodgers?
Glasnow immediately provides the Dodgers with a top-of-the-rotation arm and provides impact in a rotation that lacked it. There is risk with the move due to his past injury history, but the Dodgers are betting on the talent and upside paying off.
Even with the move, the club remains among the favorites to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto as they have been looking for at least two starting pitchers this offseason.
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