The Tampa Bay Rays are a small-market team that usually runs one of the lowest payrolls in MLB.
They recently gave away a rare mammoth extension to Wander Franco and the player is currently on administrative leave.
Perhaps more than ever, they want to make sure they take good care of every dollar, and it might mean making some sacrifices from a performance standpoint.
In this case, recent reports suggest that the Rays are expected to move star pitcher Tyler Glasnow in the offseason.
“It’s ‘widely expected’ that the Rays will move Tyler Glasnow this offseason, per @JeffPassan,” Talkin’ Baseball tweeted.
It’s “widely expected” that the Rays will move Tyler Glasnow this offseason, per @JeffPassan pic.twitter.com/BaV8xwXPwI
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) November 14, 2023
Glasnow, unlike Franco, doesn’t have any potential legal issue, character problems, or clubhouse rifts.
The problem with Glasnow, and the reason why he is likely to be traded, is his salary.
The Rays just don’t usually pay players $25 million.
Glasnow goes from making a little over $5 million in 2023 to $25 million in 2024, according to his contract.
That salary jump is usually too much for the Rays to pay, even though they theoretically have the money to do so.
Glasnow has major surgery in his past, but he returned in top form in the 2023 campaign and put some excellent numbers.
In 120 innings, he compiled a 10-7 record with a 3.53 ERA and 162 strikeouts against just 37 walks, with a 1.08 WHIP.
His FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) was excellent this past season, at 2.91.
The 30-year-old righty is not exactly the model of durability, but when he is healthy, he is routinely one of the most overpowering pitchers in the American League.
He only has one year of team control left before hitting free agency, so his cost shouldn’t be astronomical.
Glasnow could make for an enticing trade candidate for contenders around the league.
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