Tampa Bay Rays Insider Suggests Team Could Trade Pitcher Tyler Glasnow to Shed Salary

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times broke down what the Rays could be looking for if they decide to trade starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow this offseason.

The Tampa Bay Rays are on pace for a massive payroll bump in 2024, meaning they could be looking for ways to free up some cash.

According to FanGraphs' RosterResource, the Rays are expected to shell out $130 million on their roster for next season, compared to the $79 million they paid this year. The small-market club, as a result, might start shopping some of their bigger fish to bring that number down to something more palatable.

Tampa Bay Times reporter Marc Topkin drew up an outline for the Rays' offseason in a recent column, which included extending manager Kevin Cash and addressing the Wander Franco controversy. At the center of the piece, however, was giving the franchise advice on how to shed salary.

Topkin highlighted relatively expendable veterans as possible trade targets – including outfielder Manuel Margot, designated hitter Harold Ramirez and outfielder Raimel Tapia – while also exploring the potential of a Tyler Glasnow trade.

Glasnow was scheduled to hit free agency this winter, but the Rays inked him to a two-year extension in August 2022. The 30-year-old pitcher now has one year left on that deal, which will pay him $25 million next season.

That would be the biggest single-season salary in Rays history.

The Rays initially acquired Glasnow at the 2018 trade deadline, as he was one of the key pieces the Pittsburgh Pirates gave up to get All-Star pitcher Chris Archer. He transitioned from the bullpen into a starting role with Tampa Bay, which he has held onto for the past six seasons.

Glasnow has constantly battled injuries in that time, however, dampening his overall impact with the Rays.

The righty was on the injured list from May to September in 2019, only starting 12 games that year. Glasnow made 12 starts in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, only to make just 14 starts in 2021 before undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Glasnow remained out until late in 2022, making just two starts in the regular season and one in the postseason. An oblique injury sidelined Glasnow to open 2023, even though he wound up notching career-highs with 21 starts and 120.0 innings.

Despite all the bumps and bruises, Glasnow has been effective in his time in St. Petersburg. Glasnow boasts a 3.20 ERA, 1.025 WHIP and 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings in 71 starts with the Rays, in addition to an 8.5 WAR.

Glasnow went 10-7 with a 3.53 ERA, 1.083 WHIP and 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings in 2023.

Losing Glasnow would weaken a rotation that was already hobbled this past season. Zach Eflin is under contract for another two years, as is trade deadline disappointment Aaron Civale, but ace Shane McClanahan is expected to miss all of next season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August.

Shane Baz, Drew Rasmussen and Jeffrey Springs are all working their way back from serious procedures themselves.

It remains to be seen what the Rays could fetch in return for a top half of the rotation starter like Glasnow, or if they are genuinely interested in trading him at all. The annual general managers meetings take place from Nov. 7 to 9, which could give Tampa Bay's front office a chance to set the table for a potential deal.

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