ST. PETERSBURG — Unlikely as it seems, president of baseball operations Erik Neander insisted for months that the Rays were able and willing to keep starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow and his record $25 million salary, which would have pushed their payroll to record highs.
But interest in the big right-hander with dominant pieces and a history of injuries and inconsistencies was predictably high, and the Rays saw the potential in what they saw as a solid return which could keep them competitive while saving millions that could be spent in years to come. .
After talking for weeks with Dodgers officials, including former colleagues in Tampa Bay — including at country singer Brad Paisley’s 100-acre farm during the recent winter meetings in Nashville — the Rays decided it a few days ago from what they thought was their best deal. .
On Saturday, it finally became official.
The Rays traded Glasnow, outfielder Manuel Margot and $4 million to Los Angeles for two promising young players they hope can prove to be capable replacements, starter Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny DeLuca, and have saved $33 million by doing so. As part of the deal, the Dodgers agreed to a four-year, $111.5 million extension with Glasnow.
“There’s been a lot of interest, and that in itself has forced us to be open-minded,” Neander said Saturday. “From there, the opportunity to get what we believe to be a very strong return in the two players we brought back into our mix as soon as possible gave us the confidence that it was worth making a compromise as we seek to keep trying. to be as competitive as possible, not only next year, but the years beyond.
Pepiot, 26, is a powerful right-hander likely to enter the rotation now led by Zach Eflin. DeLuca, 25, is a fast, powerful right-handed hitter who, like Margot, can play all three outfield spots.
Neander said both will have to earn their place and cautioned against building expectations. But it seems clear that the Rays expect them to contribute big and fast.
“This particular deal was something for us that we saw as not only our biggest comeback, but also our best fit,” Neander said. “Even though we lose some certainty about the accomplishments of Tyler and Manuel, we have two players who we believe are well positioned to step in in the short term here and keep us in a very competitive space.”
Pepiot, 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, has a repertoire topped with a changeup that some evaluators consider elite, with a mid-90s fastball that can reach the upper 90s and an improving slider. He was twice ranked among Baseball America’s top 100 prospects.
He made his big league debut in 2022 and was expected to hold a spot in the Dodgers’ rotation in 2023 until he was sidelined by an oblique strain in late spring. He didn’t reach the majors until mid-August, pitching in eight games (three starts) and going 2–1 with a 2.14 ERA.
“He’s big, he’s strong, he’s athletic,” Neander said. “Exceptional change. Fastball that plays above speeds. A developing breaking ball that gives him three pitches that give him a very good chance to be a good starter in the major leagues. And I think he’s very close to it.
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“What’s important for him, and for him over the last few years, is the adjustments and the things that have been done over the last 12 months that I think have really helped his command, his hitting. Things are pretty well placed, but I think the strokes – whether it’s mentality, mechanical adjustments, etc. – are something we have seen take a significant step forward.
“When you have three pitches with some depth on the menu, with good stuff and the strike pitches start to really happen,” Neander continued, “that gives you a lot of room to impact a rotation.”
DeLuca, a 25th-round pick, worked his way up from Double A to Triple A to the majors last season, hitting .262 in 24 games with the Dodgers. He hit 19 home runs in total and continued to improve at each level.
“An exceptional athlete with a complete skill set that can help you win games in a variety of ways,” Neander said. “A bat that keeps moving forward and up, but someone who can beat you in the batter’s box, can beat you with his legs on the bases and certainly defensively. We got a glimpse of it last year.
Although the Rays frequently change their roster, Neander said it was particularly difficult to trade two players who have played key roles in their recent run of success. “They are exceptional people who helped us win a lot of games,” he said.
Neander said the deal began to take shape the week before the winter meetings. An opportunity for additional conversation presented itself when the Rays were invited to join Los Angeles team officials for a social event hosted by Paisley, a die-hard Dodgers fan.
“Brad made it clear he was a Tyler fan,” Neander said. “We made sure to use it as much as possible. You have to do everything you can to achieve something like this.
It seemed ironic that the small-market Rays had to give $4 million to the big-money Dodgers, especially in the same week that Los Angeles signed Shohei Ohtani to a record $700 million, 10-year contract.
But given what appeared to be a limited market for Margot (with a $10 million salary and a $2 million buyout on a 2025 option), Neander said, “for all of this to play out, it’s that’s how we had to get there. The Dodgers will receive $2 million now and the remaining $2 million only if they decline the option.
Glasnow’s extension, which included an overhaul of how he would get his $25 million in 2024 ($10 million signing bonus, $15 million salary), gives him a salary of $30 million for 2025-27, then either a $30 million team option or a $21.5 million player option. for 2028. The finalization and approval of all this was the main reason why the announcement of the agreement was delayed on Saturday.
Neander said it was important to send Glasnow, a Southern California native, into a good situation. The pitcher said he appreciated it and the opportunity he had — and enjoyed — with the Rays.
“It’s definitely bittersweet,” Glasnow told the Tampa Bay Times. “It’s the most fun I’ve ever had in baseball, and I’ve learned so much and made a lot of friends over the last six years.” I’m also very happy to be able to come home and play for my hometown team. The Dodgers organization is extremely impressive.
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2023-12-16 22:41:22
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