Dodgers acquiring standout starter Tyler Glasnow from Rays — pending a contract extension

The Los Angeles Dodgers, sick of their postseason struggles, are taking out their frustrations with a vengeance.

The Dodgers agreed to acquire Tampa Bay Rays starter Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot on Thursday for pitcher Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny Deluca, but the deal is contingent upon Glasnow agreeing to a contract extension, a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations told USA TODAY Sports.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity since the deal has not yet been finalized.

The trade, its parameters agreed to on the same day the Dodgers introduced two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, is the latest blockbuster move for the Dodgers – and perhaps not their last.

After signing Ohtani to a historic 10-year, $700 million contract, they also are hoping to sign 25-year-old Japanese pitching sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who has won three consecutive Sawamura Awards (Japan’s version of the Cy Young).

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Yamamoto, who visited with Dodger officials on Tuesday, is expected to command at least a $300 million contract, MLB executives say. The New York Yankees are the favorites to sign Yamamoto, but the Dodgers are one of the finalists, hoping to one day have Yamamoto and Ohtani lead their rotation once Ohtani recovers in 2025 from his elbow surgery.

The Dodgers, who have dominated the National League West, winning 10 division titles with 11 consecutive playoff berths, have won just one playoff game the past two postseasons, and their lone World Series title in that stretch was during the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

They brought in Ohtani for his worldwide brand, while also being the game’s premier DH, but their biggest need is pitching.

They went into the offseason searching for at least two front-line starters, and with the pending acquisition of Glasnow, they’ve got one of them. He will lead a rotation with Walker Buehler, Bobby Miller, Emmet Sheehan and perhaps Clayton Kershaw, who’s a free agent. Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin underwent elbow surgeries last season and are not expected to return in 2024.

Glasnow, who’s a free agent after the 2024 season, earns $25 million while Margot will earn $10 million next year – with a $12 million club option or $2 million buyout for 2025. But Glasnow is eligible for free agency after the 2024 season, which is why the Dodgers are insisting the deal is contingent upon a contract extension.

While Glasnow, 30, is an elite pitcher, averaging 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings, he's never pitched more than 120 innings or made more than 21 starts in a single season. He has been sidelined by Tommy John surgery, forearm strains, and an oblique strain in recent years.

He went 10-7 with a 3.53 ERA, striking out 162 batters in 120 innings last season after missing the first two months. Margot, a defensive specialist, likely would be used as a fourth outfielder or could platoon in right field with Jason Heyward. He hit .264 with four homers, 38 RBI and a .686 OPS in 99 games last season.

This is the latest money-dump for the Rays, who are shedding more than $30 million. They now will have five years of control for Pepiot, 26, who went 2-1 with a 2.14 ERA in his last eight games last season after missing the first four months with an oblique strain. DeLuca, 25, made his major-league debut last season, hitting .262 with two homers, six RBI and a .740 OPS in 45 plate appearances. He hit .294 with 17 homers and a .959 OPS in 73 games at Class AA and Triple-A last season.

While the Rays are worried about pinching pennies, the Dodgers aren’t letting money stand in their way. Their payroll soars to more than $240 million, eclipsing the $237 million competitive balance tax. They now have four players earning at least $25 million a year (for luxury tax purposes) in Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Glasnow.

So, you think they care if they spend a couple of extra million for a World Series parade?