The Rays would clear $35 million in salary, and receive two well regarded prospects in return.
The Tampa Bay Rays have reportedly agreed to trade their best pitcher, RHP Tyler Glasnow, and their fourth outfielder, OF Manuel Margot, for obvious reasons.
Glasnow, 30, is slated to make $25 million in 2024, which would have made him the highest paid player in a single-season in franchise history. Margot, 29, is due $10 million next season, with an option for 2025.
In return for the two veteran players, the Los Angeles Dodgers will reportedly send RHP Ryan Pepiot and OF Jonny Deluca.
Sources tell me and @AzoulayHaron that RHP Ryan Pepiot and Jonny DeLuca are expected to be in the return to Tampa Bay as the Dodgers acquire RHP Tyler Glasnow and OF Manuel Margot
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) December 13, 2023
The Dodgers are discussing a trade in which they would get RHP Tyler Glasnow and OF Manuel Margot from the Rays for RHP Ryan Pepiot and OF Jonny Deluca, sources tell @TheAthletic. Deal not complete. Changes possible. Financial exchange likely. On it: @Bnicklaus7, @AzoulayHaron
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 13, 2023
Pepiot was considered one of baseball’s top prospects entering the 2023 season, ranking at 55th overall and 5th in the Dodgers vaunted system by Baseball America.
The 26 year old hurler possesses an electric arsenal but has failed to harness command of his repertoire leading to him being plagued by walks and his inability to stick in the big leagues. During his brief stint in tthe big leagues (17 games from 2022 to 2023), he has registered a 2.76 ERA | 4.76 FIP with a 25.1 K% and 10.0 BB%; opponents have hit just .189 off of him with 13 HR over 78 1⁄3 innings pitched.
Deluca meanwhile projects to take over Margot’s spot as the Rays fourth outfielder and a platoon bat against left-handed pitching. A tremendous athlete, Deluca is a potential five tool player if everything works out for him.
He is able to play all three positions in the outfield, with plus speed and a plus arm, making him a defensive asset. Offensively, Deluca finished 2023 with a .397 on-base percentage in Triple-A, having split the season between Double-A and Triple-A and even had a brief stint on the big league roster; he also spent some time on the shelf with a hamstring issue.
Overall during his minor league campaign, he hit .294/.390/.566 with 17 HR over 326 plate appearances.
Both Pepiot and Deluca would project to be on the Rays Opening Day roster, taking Glasnow and Margot’s places respectively.
