The Los Angeles Dodgers’ signing of Shohei Ohtani was just the beginning.
On the same day Ohtani was introduced to the media at Dodger Stadium Thursday, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the Dodgers had agreed on a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays involving Tyler Glasnow.
According to Passan, the Dodgers are receiving Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot from Tampa Bay. The Rays are receiving pitcher Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny Deluca.
The report says the deal is contingent upon Glasnow agreeing to a contract extension with the Dodgers, which is expected to happen. Glasnow is under contract to earn $25 million in 2024 and become a free agent after that.
Glasnow is the highlight of the deal. The 30-year-old pitcher went 27-16 with a 3.20 ERA after being acquired by the Rays in 2018. He’s been good when available, but whether it was Tommy John surgery or other issues, Glasnow has rarely been healthy. The 120 innings he pitched last season were a career high.
Margot never quite blossomed, but he has been remarkably consistent. The 29-year-old outfielder has a career .255 batting average and .694 OPS, and is pretty solid in center field.
Pepiot and Deluca represent cheaper replacements for Glasnow and Margot, which fits the needs of the cost-conscious Rays. Pepiot has gone 5-1 with a 2.76 ERA over 17 appearances (10 starts) with the Dodgers. The 26-year-old still has five more years of team control left.
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