The Tampa Bay Rays are not known for paying their quality players as they get closer to free agency.
They are known for developing players and keeping the “factory” active, producing solutions for their depth issues.
The system develops stars and quality players with frequency.
When it comes to paying these players, however, the organization usually doesn’t do that.
Tyler Glasnow seems to be no exception.
The right-handed pitcher, although injury-prone, has developed into one of the top starters in the American League when healthy.
This past season, after returning from major elbow surgery, he posted a 3.53 ERA with 162 strikeouts in 120 innings.
However, since his salary is rising to $25 million from $5 million he made in 2023, the Rays are fully expected to trade him.
Where are the Rays regarding their star hurler?
MLB insider Jon Morosi has the details.
“Rays have had a lot of trade dialogue in recent days, sources say, but the Tyler Glasnow talks remain at a preliminary stage. The chances of a Glasnow trade will be higher once the top free agent pitchers sign,” Morosi tweeted.
Rays have had a lot of trade dialogue in recent days, sources say, but the Tyler Glasnow talks remain at a preliminary stage.
The chances of a Glasnow trade will be higher once the top free agent pitchers sign. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 17, 2023
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, Sonny Gray, Eduardo Rodriguez, Clayton Kershaw, Michael Wacha and others are free agents.
Teams will likely sign most of them before Glasnow is traded.
Why?
Because teams prefer not to give up their prospects in a trade.
When most of those names sign, talks for Glasnow will probably gain some steam because he is a solid Plan B for teams missing out on top free-agent pitching talent.
Glasnow might be prone to getting hurt, but on a per-inning basis, few pitchers are more impressive than him.
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