The Tampa Bay Rays said during the Winter Meetings that they were having conversations with other teams about possible trades, and now one of those conversations could be taking the next step, as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Wednesday that talks between the Rays and the Los Angeles Dodgers were progressing about a possible deal involving pitcher Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot. in exchange, Tampa Bay would receive pitcher Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny Deluca.
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 a third-round pick by the Dodgers in 2019 out of Butler University, and made eight appearances, including three starts, last year at the big-league level. He went 2-1 with a 2.14 earned run average, striking out 38 and walking only five batters in 42 innings of work. Deluca made his big-league debut for the Dodgers last year, hitting .262/.311/.429 with two homers and six RBI in 42 at bats, and played all three outfield positions.
As Rosenthal reports, the deal is not finalized, and there is no word if any money will be exchanged in the deal, as Glasnow is slated to make $25 million in 2024, his final year before reaching free agency, and Margot will make $10 million in 2024 and has a $12 million club option for 2025 with a $2 million buyout.
Steve Carney is the founder and publisher of St. Pete Nine. One of the people most associated with baseball coverage in Tampa Bay, he spent 13 seasons covering the Rays for flagship radio station WDAE, first as producer of Rays Radio broadcasts, then as beat reporter beginning in 2011. He likes new analytics and aged bourbon, and is the owner of one of the ugliest knuckleballs ever witnessed by baseball scouts.
