Braves potential trade package for Tyler Glasnow

According to recent trade rumors, Rays ace Tyler Glasnow is expected to be moved by the Rays this offseason.

This is one of the least surprising developments of the early offseason. Glasnow signed a two-year, $30.5 million contract with Tampa Bay last year, but $25 million of that is owed this season. The Rays were always unlikely to pay that, even if it’s far from a bad number for a pitcher as talented as Glasnow.

This continues a series where I put together hypothetical trade packages for names reportedly on the market that could make some sense for the Braves. If you missed any previous parts to this series, follow the links below:

On a one-year, $25 million contract, I highly doubt the Braves would have to include AJ Smith-Shawver or Hurston Waldrep in a potential deal for Tyler Glasnow, especially with his injury history. The Rays might push for it — because they are a very smart organization — but I don’t think Alex Anthopoulos would budge. Tampa Bay’s top priority in this trade is getting rid of Glasnow’s contract and acquiring a couple of young pitchers with some upside that they feel like they can develop into major-league starters, something they are better than any organization at doing.

When Glasnow is healthy, he’s up there with the best pitchers in baseball. Since 2019, he boasts a 3.03 ERA, 2.89 FIP, and 12.5 K/9. The only issue is he has made just 60 starts over that span. The only season he’s ever made more than 20 starts was last year, and he’s never pitched over 120 innings. Handing him a healthy extension right now would be incredibly risky, so this is most likely just a one-year proposition to see if he can pitch a full season, and then whoever trades for him will have to outbid the rest of the league next offseason for his services.

As far as the Rays return, I went with straight pitching prospects because that is what they are the best at developing. All of these arms have upside, but none are close to being everyday major-league pitchers. This one might hurt Braves fans when the Rays turn them into bonafide studs in a few years, but I think it’s a risk worth taking for the Braves to win in 2024.

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Braves: Brian Snitker discusses replacements for Ron Washington

Turnover is natural in professional sports. Whether it is players or coaches, teams rarely look identical from one year to the next. Oftentimes, there are 10+ new faces in a clubhouse each season. The Braves are actually one of the lucky organizations, given their young core is locked up to long-term, team-friendly contracts. They won’t experience nearly as much turnover as other clubs, but they do have to replace the void in left field left by Eddie Rosario, and perhaps even more importantly, the Braves are in search of a couple of new coaches at first and third base.

Last week, Ron Washington was officially hired by the Los Angeles Angels to be their manager. The beloved third base coach has been instrumental to the team’s six straight division titles as well as the 2021 World Series. Eric Young Sr, Atlanta’s first base coach, will also be joining Washington on his staff in Los Angeles, opening up two huge voids that must be filled this winter, which Brian Snitker discussed in a recent interview with 680 The Fan.

“It’s tough,” Snitker said when talking about replacing Ron Washington. “I texted Wash the other day, I was like, ‘you know what a pain in the ass you’ve caused me by leaving.’ Like I say, it’s hard to replace a guy like Wash. Everything he meant to us, what he brought to this team, to these young guys.”

There is no replacing Ron Washington. He is one of one, and the Angels are incredibly lucky to have him. It won’t take long for him to become a fan favorite in Los Angeles, but he might have to work some miracles to overcome the roster put in front of him.

The Angels appear to be staring a rebuild in the face, as they prepare for Shohei Ohtani to exit in free agency. Meanwhile, the Braves are in a prime position to compete for another World Series, and there are a lot of fantastic coaches that would love the opportunity to join Brian Snitker’s staff.

But we’ve lost big guys before, and we’ll replace him, we’re going to be really good. It’s going to be tough. We wish him nothing but the best. It’s something that Alex and I have talked about, and we’re kind of doing our due diligence and running a lot of names through there. So, we’ll get the right guys, and we’re going to be really good again.”

Not seeing Ron Washington down the third baseline for 162+ games in 2024 is going to feel different, and I do think his presence on a day-to-day basis was a huge part of the Braves getting to this point. However, this team is far too talented to let the loss of one piece affect them. Brian Snitker has people lining up at his door begging for an opportunity. The Braves will find the right guy, and as Snit alluded to, this team is going to be a damn machine again in 2024.