The Los Angeles Dodgers have been Major League Baseball’s most active team by far this offseason.
First, the Dodgers signed two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani to a record-setting 10-year $700 million contract on December 8.
Then, just hours after introducing Ohtani at Dodger Stadium Thursday afternoon, the Dodgers struck again, this time landing starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.
News of the deal, which was rumored to be close the past couple of days, was broken by ESPN’s Jeff Passan Thursday evening.
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a trade to send RHP Tyler Glasnow and OF Manuel Margot to the Dodgers for RHP Ryan Pepiot and OF Jonny Deluca — contingent on Glasnow signing an extension with L.A., which is expected, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 15, 2023
As Passan notes, Tampa will be getting starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny Deluca back in the trade. The deal is also contingent on Glasnow, who is a free agent after the 2024 season, signing an extension with the Dodgers.
Originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2011 draft, Glasnow spent two and a half seasons in Pittsburgh before being sent to Tampa in the trade that brought starting pitcher Chris Archer to the Pirates.
When healthy, Glasnow has the potential to be one of the league’s best pitchers. His injury history is a concern, however. Glasnow’s 120 innings pitched in the 2023 season marked a career-high. He pitched just 388 total innings in his five-and-a-half seasons in Tampa.
Pepiot, the centerpiece going back to Tampa, made 10 starts for the Dodgers over the past two seasons. The 26-year-old right-handed pitcher amassed a 2.76 ERA in 78 innings pitched and also recorded 80 strikeouts.
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