By Paul Semendinger
December 15, 2023
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There are only 10 days until Christmas... and the Dodgers just got a starting pitcher as a present.
Tyler Glasnow will be heading from Tampa Bay to Los Angeles as part of a big trade between the Dodgers and the Rays.
Does this mean thay are out on Yamamoto?
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In the trade, the Dodgers also acquired Manuel Margot, a player who has, at times, been rumored to be coming to the Yankees.
Here's a quick summary from MLBTR:
"The Dodgers and Rays are in agreement on a trade that would send right-hander Tyler Glasnow, outfielder Manuel Margot and $4MM to Los Angeles, with right-hander Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny Deluca going to Tampa. The deal is contingent on Glasnow signing an extension with the Dodgers, which is reportedly expected to get done."
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Tyler Glasnow, when healthy, is a top pitcher. As a Tampa Bay Ray, he's gone 27-16, 3.20, but since 2019, he has been even better. Over that period, Glasnow is 26-11, 3.03. The concern is that he's pitched on 332 innings in that time frame.
My guess is.... NO.
In 2023, the starters on the Dodgers with the most starts were:
Clayton Kershaw - 24 starts. At this moment, he isn't signed for 2024.
Bobby Miller - 22 starts. He's a lock for the rotation
Julio Urias - 21 starts. A free agent, who I doubt will return to LA. He's facing Domestic Violence charges.
Tony Gonsolin - 20 starts. He is signed through 2024.
Those were the only pitchers to make more than 12 starts for the Dodgers in 2023.
To me that says that the Dodgers need starting pitching.
Tyler Glasnow slots in as their ace, for now. Assuming Clayton Kershaw returns, that would give them four starters. But, Glasnow and Kershaw have both missed a lot of time in recent years. If I were running the Dodgers... I'd want one more big starter.
If I were running the Dogers, I'd still be all-in on Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
I don;t think this takes the Dodegrs out of the Yamamoto sweepstakes, at all. I think it signals that they are in it to win it and are playing big (HUGE) for 2024.
I also believe that with their signing of Ohtani, and the deferred money, and Ohtani's desire to win, and the Dodger's comitment to build a great team around him that they are also the favorites to land Yamamoto.
The Yankees should be, at this very moment, talking with the Brewers about Corbin Burnes as their back-up plan to enhance the rotation. They should also be preparing to sign Cody Bellinger because they will need his defense (CF) and his bat - and he's give them a great deal of depth to trade from. So many people are so high on Spencer Jones... but he might have to be traded to get a top starter if Yamamoto is not coming to the Bronx.
The Yankees' other option would be to pivot to Blake Snell and/or Jordan Montgomery, but both of those moves also come with questions...
This is why the hot stove league is fun.
I believe that the Yankees are playing big as well. But, they'll need to make moves to demonstrate that. Juan Soto was a huge start, but there is a lot more to do.
Stay tuned....
