Dodgers News: Tyler Glasnow Wanted to Play Alongside Shohei Ohtani

The pitcher from Southern California is ready to come home

The Dodgers entered the off-season searching for starting pitching help, and they planned to be aggressive in doing so. While they're still looking to add to their rotation, the Dodgers did get some help last week in the form of a four-player trade.

Los Angeles acquired ace Tyler Glasnow from the Tampa Bay Rays and proceeded to sign him to a five-year extension as well. Glasnow has been one of baseball's better pitchers when healthy. Now he has the potential to be the Dodgers' ace in 2024.

Glasnow appeared on a Zoom call to discuss being traded to the Dodgers, and he was asked about his reaction to Shohei Ohtani signing with the Dodgers.

"I want to be on that team. I want to pick his brain and know what he's learned. ... I just want to be on a field with that guy. I'm extremely excited."

Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow

Glasnow and Ohtani can headline the Dodgers' rotation once Ohtani is medically cleared to pitch. Both players learn from each other. 

Growing up in Santa Clarita, Glasnow was excited to come home for multiple reasons. He knows that the Dodgers are one of the better teams in the league, and now he gets to play for his hometown team.

Tyler Glasnow on being traded to the Dodgers:

"It'll be an awesome experience to play with my dream team and see my family more."

Also, he said when Shohei Ohtani signed, he thought to himself, "I want to be on that team... I want to be on a field with that guy."

— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) December 18, 2023

Glasnow now has an opportunity to win with more of his family and friends watching in person, not just from three time zones away. The Dodgers believe in the positive impact Glasnow can have on an injury-deprived rotation. The contract extension affirms that Glasnow fits what the front office has been looking for all winter.