Top MLB Insider Predicts Late Trade for Rays Ace, as Yamamoto and Snell Dominate Off-Season Discussions

The Tampa Bay Rays are a peculiar team. Despite having one of the lowest payrolls, they remain highly competitive. It’s down to their analytics, roster management, and constant churning out of good talents by their farm. So it’s no surprise that they don’t feel the need to splash big in the market. But on the flip side, this leads to the Rays never holding on to “star” players. This offseason, it may be happening again with one of their best pitchers.

A top MLB insider feels that the trade can happen but he is not sure when. Even if the trade does happen, which teams will be interested in getting the talented ace to their team in the last year of his contract?

Tampa Bay Rays looking to trade Tyler Glasnow after the free agent dominoes fall

On the opening day of 2023, the Rays had the 4th lowest payroll because their entire structure runs on low-cost sustainability. That they compete so fiercely is a testament to their good organization. So when ace Tyler Glasnow entered the final year of his contract, it was obvious they?d look to trade him. According to Jon Morosi, it won’t happen just yet.

“I think there?s a very high chance that Glasnow is elsewhere by opening day, by the beginning of spring training, I’m not gonna predict the timeline on this trade for a couple of weeks. Well because there is so much talent still out there in free agency,? he said.

Morosi went on to specify the talents he thinks will get priority right now. Namely, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Blake Snell. Yamamoto is looking at a $200 million contract with quite a few teams behind him. Snell has just won his second Cy Young award and could be looking at a big pool of teams to pick from.

Read more: ?Let?s Do This?: Yoshinobu Yamamoto Finally Hits Free Agency, Gets Fans Excited About His MLB Future

According to Morosi, the Rays might trade Glasnow to remain cost-effective. After his tremendous 2023 with an ERA of 3.53 and a record of 10-7, quite a few teams would love to have a player like him.

Teams interested in Glasnow

The easiest name would be St. Louis Cardinals, who have made it abundantly clear that they’ll be hunting for pitchers this offseason. But apart from them, the Houston Astros could also improve with Tyler Glasnow on the roster. Though they have good starters, their bullpen lacks depth, and Glasnow could be a good addition.

Apart from them, there are surely other teams but they?ll likely only come forward after free agents have all signed. With the market being hungry for quality pitchers, Glasnow won’t have trouble finding a good home for himself.

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