Regrading the Dodgers' blockbuster offseason Tyler Glasnow trade

With the MLB trade deadline nearing, it seems like as good a time as ever to look back at the Los Angeles Dodgers' last major trade. Back in December, the Tampa Bay Rays sent Tyler Glasnow and Manuel Margot to the Dodgers in exchange for Ryan Pepiot and Jonny DeLuca. 

Margot’s time in Los Angeles was short-lived, as the Dodgers would send him to the Minnesota Twins in February in order to turn around and sign free agent Kiké Hernández. Glasnow, on the other hand, immediately signed a five-year, $136.5 million extension with the Dodgers.

There was some skepticism due to Glasnow's history of injuries about his long-term viability, but outside of this recent IL stint, Glasnow has stayed healthy this season and has been a short-term clear positive. He has already started 18 games this season, which means he is on track to break his previous season high of 21 starts from last season with the Rays.

Glasnow was named to the All-Star team despite not being able to pitch due to his injury. His stats for the year make it obvious why he was a part of the All-Star roster. In 121 innings, Glasnow has 155 strikeouts to go with an ERA of 3.50 and a WHIP of 0.96. The Dodgers' rotation has been shaky due to the number of injuries they’ve faced, but Glasnow has been consistently great for Los Angeles since putting on Dodger Blue.

Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers both thriving after Tyler Glasnow trade

The Rays, on the other hand, aren't kicking themselves too much. They have a history of not wanting to pay players big contracts while getting the most out of young, talented players. It seems they’re doing it again with Ryan Pepiot. In 17 starts this season, Pepiot is enjoying an ERA of 3.92 and a WHIP of 1.076. Like Glasnow, Pepiot is also striking out a lot of batters with a SO% of 26.7%, just under Glasnow's 33.7%. 

Jonny DeLuca isn’t enjoying the same success. In 62 games, he’s slashing just .179/.256/.299, which is good for an OPS of .555 (up from .516 just last week, though, so...). His speed and arm strength make him one of the better defenders in the outfield, but that doesn’t justify his offensive numbers, as his WAR currently sits at -0.4.

In the end, it seems like both teams got what they wanted from this deal. The Rays traded away Glasnow, an All-Star-caliber pitcher, so they don’t have to pay him, and start creating another high level pitcher in 26-year-old Ryan Pepiot. To the delight of the Rays, he is under team control for four more seasons after this one.