In what was one of the worst-kept secrets in Tampa, the Rays sent All-Star pitcher Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for pitcher Ryan Pepiot and infielder Johnny DeLuca.
Rumors were floating around that Glasnow had been on the trading block since the end of the season, as the Rays seemed to want to unload anyone that would give them a chance to win.
Injuries throughout his career have hampered Glasnow. In 2021, Glasnow had Tommy John surgery, which sidelined him until 2022. In 2023, Glasnow missed two months of the season with an oblique strain. He still finished the season 10-7 with a 3.53 ERA.
Glasnow Talks About Joining His Dream Team
Glasnow is excited to be joining his favorite team, the LA Dodgers. “It’ll be an awesome experience to play for my dream team,” Glasnow said. “It’s always been one of my favorite places to play, so I’m excited to go back there and soak it all up again.”
Glasnow then talked about his time with the Rays. “It’s definitely bittersweet. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had playing baseball, and I’ve learned so much and made a ton of friends in the last six years. I’m also really excited to be able to go back home and play for my hometown team. The Dodgers organization is extremely impressive.”
Glasnow had one season left with the Rays at $25 million, and the odds of his resigning with the Rays were slim to none.
This deal will save the Rays about $33 million in salary.
Rays Like the Return for Glasnow and Margot
“This particular deal was something that to us we saw as not only our greatest return but also our greatest fit,” Rays GM Erik Neander said. “While we lose some certainty in the accomplishments of Tyler and Manuel, we’re getting two players that we think are well positioned to step in in the near term here and to keep us in a very competitive space.”
As part of the deal that sent Ryan Pepiot and Johnny DeLuca to Tampa Bay in exchange for Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot, the Rays will send the Dodgers up to $4 million.
The Rays will pay $2 million on Aug. 2, and a $2 million payment will be due on Dec. 1, 2026, conditioned on Margot’s 2025 option not being exercised, which would cover the buyout.
Who are Ryan Pepiot and Johnny Deluca?
Ryan Pepiot is a hard-throwing 26-year-old right-hander who is expected to join the Rays rotation in 2024. He also has a mid-90s fastball and a slider, which is a work in progress.
He made his MLB debut in 2022 and was due to be part of the Dodgers rotation in 2023. But an oblique strain sidelined him, and he did not pitch until August.
Pepiot appeared in eight games, including three starts, going 3-1 with a 2.14 ERA.
He will join a rotation anchored by Zach Eflin, including Aaron Civale, Zack Littell, and Taj Bradley.
GM Erik Neander talked about Pepiot and what they like about him. “He’s big, he’s strong, he’s athletic. Exceptional changeup. Fastball that plays above the velocities. A developing breaking ball that gives him three pitches that gives him a very good chance to be a good major-league starter. And I think he’s very close to that.”
Neander also added, “When you have three pitches with some depth to the menu, with good stuff, and the strike-throwing starts to really come on, that gives you a lot of room for impacting a rotation.”
The 25-year-old DeLuca can hit for power, has good speed, and can play all three outfield positions. DeLuca worked his way up from AA to AAA and debuted with the Dodgers last season. He hit .262 in 45 at-bats with two homers and six runs batted in. He also hit 17 home runs at the AA and AAA level.
Barring an injury, DeLuca will open the season at AAA Durham.