The Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays have agreed on a trade to send RHP Tyler Glasnow and OF Manuel Margot to Los Angeles for RHP Ryan Pepiot and OF Jonny Deluca, per Jeff Passan of ESPN. Passan adds that the deal depends on Glasnow signing an extension with the Dodgers, which the California native is expected to sign.
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
Rays Trade Tyler Glasnow to the Dodgers
Players Heading to Los Angeles
Glasnow represented one of the better pitchers available this winter, even with a hefty $25 million salary for 2024. In a career-high 120 innings last season, Glasnow struck out 33.4 percent of the batters he faced while walking only 7.4 percent. Additionally, Glasnow ranks amongst the best in fastball velocity, Chase and Whiff percentage, and getting ground balls.
Despite the success, the towering righty has seen injuries limit his career. Despite just turning 30, Glasnow’s career has been impacted by injuries to his back, oblique, elbow, and forearm, the last of which led to Tommy John surgery in 2021.
The Dodgers aren’t expecting 30 starts or 180 innings from Glasnow but will gladly take his elite production in smaller doses. When healthy, Glasnow is one of the game’s best and has the potential to elevate the World Series or bust Dodgers.
Tyler Glasnow's 2023 Statcast percentiles pic.twitter.com/XNwhtJqhSN
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) December 15, 2023
Los Angeles will also receive 29-year-old Margot, who will likely act as a fourth outfielder getting at-bats against southpaws. Margot offers great defense with just under-league-average offensive production. His presence probably means Jason Heyward and James Outman get limited at-bats against lefties.
Who Are the Rays Getting?
Pepiot, a former top-100 prospect, is the more significant part of the deal. Still just 26, Tampa Bay will get five years of control over the changeup specialist. He spent limited time in the majors over the past two seasons, going to and often shuffled between the rotation and bullpen.
However, Pepiot’s production has been great, and he likely would have been in LA’s Opening Day rotation. In 78.1 career innings, Pepiot has struck out 9.2 per nine with a 2.76 ERA (153 ERA+). Despite giving up walks and homers at a high rate, Pepiot allows the Rays to trade an ace and still contend for the playoffs next year.
Ryan Pepiot is gonna be insane for the Rays pic.twitter.com/vPVrTcuHct
— J (@CardinalsReek) December 15, 2023
Deluca, the other piece heading to the Rays, plays all three outfield spots. A former 25th-round draft pick, the 25-year-old made his debut last season. In just 45 plate appearances, he hit a .262/.311/.429 slash line. Deluca displayed great control of the strike zone in the minors with decent power.
Main Photo Credits: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
