Is Tyler Glasnow a tradeable asset for the Atlanta Braves to strengthen their rotation?
It is said that Tampa Bay is shopping the gifted but frequently injured pitcher who is about to begin his final season under control.
The Atlanta Braves need starters, and strong ones at that, is a recurring theme at Braves Today. If Charlie Morton chooses to retire rather than allow Atlanta to pick up his $20 million club option for 2024, then this necessity will be even more pressing.
Could general manager Alex Anthopoulos pull off a trade involving a starter?
Righty Tyler Glasnow is purportedly open to calls from the Tampa Bay Rays. Would it make sense for Atlanta to try to strike a deal and why would they do that?
Tyler Glasnow is who?
A fifth-round pick by the Pirates in 2011, Glasnow was eventually moved to Tampa Bay in the Chris Archer trade of 2018. He finished the 21-start season with a 10-7 record, 3.53 ERA, and 162 strikeouts in just 120 innings for Tampa. With the exception of Spencer Strider, Glasnow would be the only pitcher on Atlanta’s roster with a strikeout rate of 12.2 K/9. Not only was it uncontrollably bad, but Glasnow only walked 37 hitters, which translated into a 2.8 BB/9, which tied with Strider for the second-lowest of any Braves starter (only surpassed by Max Fried’s 2.1 BB/9).
For what reason would Tampa Bay accept a trade for Tyler Glasnow?
In short, he will make $25 million next year instead of $5.35 million this year. Tampa Bay signed him to a two-year contract that guaranteed him over $30 million, knowing that he was about to enter his final year of arbitration in 2023. However, the deal was designed so that the majority of the guaranteed money—$25 million—came in 2024 (presumably with the goal of moving him).
While Glasnow did deliver a fairly full season in 2023, that wasn’t the righty’s typical output. He pitched 148 innings in total in 2021 while on the injured list for a prolonged period of time in both 2019 and 2021. After missing all but 6.2 innings of 2022, he eventually need Tommy John in 2021.
Is it wise for Atlanta to trade for Glasnow?
I don’t believe it to be for several reasons.
His history of injuries is the first. Not only has he recently recovered from Tommy John surgery, but he also experienced some back and oblique problems early in the season. It seems hazardous to wager on him to remain healthy for a second straight season.
Furthermore, $25 million is a greater price to pay for a production that isn’t necessarily going to be much better than what Morton gave you—Glasnow has only had seasons with an ERA of less than 4.00 in 2019 and 2021. The extra $5 million is in addition to whatever the Rays received in trade for Glasnow, though they might not ask for much in return if they’re eager to get rid of that salary obligation.
However, acquiring Glasnow might be one way to spend a little more money and prospect capital for another playoff starter if Morton decides to hang up his cleats.
