UPDATE (December 14, 4:50 p.m. PT): The Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly agreed to trade Ryan Pepiot and Jonny DeLuca to the Tampa Bay Rays for Tyler Glasnow and Manuel Margot. The trade is contingent on Glasnow signing a contract extension with the Dodgers.
The Los Angeles Dodgers continue their search for starting pitching to bolster their unsteady rotation. While remaining in the hunt for Yoshinobu Yamamoto, speculation about a potential Tyler Glasnow trade with the Tampa Bay Rays have popped up.
Glasnow is a hot name on the trade market, mainly because of his ceiling as a topend starter with elite stuff. Glasnow is also under contract at a fairly team-friendly rate for the 2024 season, his final year before hitting free agency.
Also included in that rumored trade between the Dodgers and Rays is Manuel Margot. He hit .264/.310/.376 over in 99 games this past season, but injuries hindered his availability.
In an appearance on MLB Network, Jon Heyman reported that the Dodgers love the idea of adding Glasnow to their starting rotation, but a trade involving Margot isn’t their ideal move:
“The rumor recently was it would be a combination of Glasnow and Manny Margot. My understanding is the Dodgers aren’t that enthused about Margot. Obviously, they would be more enthused if it was Arozarena, but that’s a lot more prospects to go. So I’m not sure Margot will be part of this package. If he does get traded, I would say it’s a good chance as far as the Dodgers for Glasnow. Still, as far as I know, some other teams are very, very interested in Glasnow.”
The confidence in which the Dodgers have pursued Glasnow puts them in good position to line up on a trade. But Margot’s price tag of $10 million in 2024 is also followed up with a $2 million buyout for the following season if his mutual option is declined.
Any deal that the Dodgers make with the Rays is sure to come with a fair amount of hesitation because of Glasnow’s injury history. Margot, on the other hand, has posted a 1.95 combined WAR since 2022.
Would Manuel Margot be quality addition for Dodgers outfield?
For the contract Margot is under, his salary number seems a bit out of the question given recent production. The Dodgers are said to have Ryan Pepiot and Jonny DeLuca in their trade with the Rays, which seems like a steep price.
Glasnow is an ace when healthy, and has proven he is capable of providing a starting rotation with elite production. His high strikeouts per nine innings, mixed with his ability to limit damage are among the best in baseball, leaving health as his only real concern.
But Margot appears to be more of a salary dump for the Rays, and the Dodgers have a young outfielder in DeLuca who could fill a platoon role without a hefty contract attached. The Dodgers’ rumored pause on that inclusion is justified, because it’s almost a redundant, pricey, throw in.
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