The Tampa Bay Rays are more than likely going to trade ace pitcher Tyler Glasnow this winter. We’ve read rumors in this regard over the past several weeks.
It makes sense with Glasnow set to hit the final season of his contract while earning a whopping $25 million. According to this note from Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, multiple team executives around the league believe that Tampa will “definitely” move Glasnow this winter.
The 30-year-old righty has dealt with his fair share of injuries. Glasnow appeared in 50 games from 2018-22 while dealing with multiple injuries, including a torn UCL that required Tommy John Surgery in 2021.
When on the hill, he’s more than proven to be a top-of-the-rotation arm. Last season saw Glasnow pitch to a 10-7 record with a 3.53 ERA while striking out 162 batters in 120 innings of work. It was also the most number of starts he’s made since breaking into the Majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates back in 2016.
- Tyler Glasnow career stats: 30-27 record, 3.89 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 11.5 K/9
Given Glasnow’s injury history and the fact that he’s set to become a free agent after the 2024 season, several teams could have interest as a low-cost alternative on the MLB trade market. Here’s a look at four that make sense.
Related: Tyler Glasnow and 4 other big-name players who could be traded
St. Louis Cardinals add potential ace in a trade
St. Louis entered the offseason in need of rotation help. It’s something that team president John Mozeliak was seeking during the in-season MLB trade deadline despite the Cardinals (71-91) being pretty much completely out of contention.
Thus far this winter, St. Louis has added veteran pitchers Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson to the mix during MLB free agency. Lynn (13-11, 5.73 ERA) and Gibson (15-9, 4.73) boasted winning records last season. But as you can see, neither is anything more than a middle-rotation arm.
The same can’t be said for Tyler Glasnow. He struck out north of 12 batters per nine innings a season ago and has posted a WHIP of 1.13 or better six times in his career. If healthy, Glasnow could head the rotation. In turn, St. Louis moves off one of its young position players in a deal with Tampa Bay.
Baltimore Orioles pull off Tyler Glasnow trade
Would Tampa Bay consider trading Glasnow within the division? Would Baltimore even have interest in picking up his $25 million salary for next season? These are real questions that could hold up a potential trade.
The defending American League East champs already lost the aforementioned Gibson to St. Louis during free agency. The rotation is going to be a major need moving forward in the winter. It makes perfect sense to entice Tampa Bay with one of the several young arms Baltimore boasts within MLB’s best farm system.
Philadelphia Phillies bring in another arm
Even after re-signing Aaron Nola, the Phillies are still looking to add to their rotation. That included a flirtation with reigning American League Cy Young runner-up Sonny Gray.
We’re still not 100% sold on Philadelphia exhausting that type of long-term capital after handing Nola a seven-year, $172 million contract. Rather, Glasnow would be a nice short-term option to complement Nola and Zack Wheeler in the rotation.
Los Angeles Dodgers taks a chance on Tyler Glasnow
We’ve seen Los Angeles linked to the likes of Dylan Cease (Chicago White Sox) and Corbin Burnes (Milwaukee Brewers) on the MLB trade market.
While the expectation is that these Dodgers will add a top-of-the-rotation arm, it wouldn’t hurt to go after a high-upside pitcher in Glasnow. After all, Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) is going to miss a majority of the 2024 season. Lance Lynn has already signed with the Cardinals while Julio Urias is a free agent and will not be back in Dodger Blue.
With one of the top farm systems in baseball, offering up a top-20 prospect and change for Tyler Glasnow would make a ton of sense.