Tyler Glasnow's time with the Tampa Bay Rays came to a close when the right-handed pitcher got dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a massive blockbuster trade last month.
Glasnow had spent over five years with the Rays, battling through multiple injury-plagued seasons to still post a 27-16 record, 3.20 ERA and 1.025 WHIP. But off the field, Glasnow was able to make his time in Tampa Bay count as well, he said in an appearance on Jomboy Media's "The Chris Rose Rotation."
Rose asked Glasnow about the toughest farewell calls he had to make, which led to the pitcher discussing a special moment he shared with President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander.
"I think talking to (Kyle Snyder) or (Chad Mottola) (was tough), like the coaches especially," Glasnow said. "And then Erik, too, Neander, because I was so close with him. Went over to Erik's house after I got traded for, like, two hours and just drank a beer with him and kicked it in his backyard and stuff. So that was cool and I'll always be able to talk to him."
When Rose raised the point that grabbing a beer with a general manager who just traded you isn't all that common, Glasnow doubled down and used it as evidence of the Rays' family atmosphere, as well as why he's looking forward to his time in Los Angeles.
"That's why the Rays are so sick," Glasnow said. "Obviously, the trade – like the package of the Dodgers – I think was (Neander)'s favorite trade. But he was also like 'I know Andrew (Friedman), I know the way the Dodgers operate, you are going to do well there. This is the same type of atmosphere, same type of vibe.'"
Neander has been with the Rays since 2007, and he has held his current position since 2021. He overlapped with Friedman for eight years before the latter departed to run the Dodgers.
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