Shohei Ohtani was a big reason why the Dodgers were able to sign Tyler Glasnow: Where to Find It
There’s one thing that’s been clear about Shohei Ohtani’s first week with the Dodgers: he doesn’t want his new team to end with him. Yes, and it’s right here.
Drew Friedman, president for baseball operations for the Dodgers, said Thursday that Shohei wanted this to be just one of many moves the team would make. The club also introduced its newest star.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan says that the Dodgers got right-hander Tyler Glasnow as well as outfielder Manuel Margot to the Rays in exchange for right-hander Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny Deluca.
The deal is only official if Glasnow signs a new deal with the Dodgers. The Post’s Jon Heyman got word from sources that the trade has gone through and Glasnow will be joining LA’s National League team.
The Dodgers have added another player to their lineup this offseason, showing that they are serious about winning a championship this coming season.
They got one of the best relievers in baseball in Glasnow, who was one for the most sought-after trade targets.
Ohtani was the first rock to fall. The Dodgers were linked to a number of possible additions, and this week it was reported that they were attempting to make a deal in Tampa Bay.
The Dodgers have been very busy this winter. They recently added a big arm to go with Shohei Ohtani’s big bat (and eventually his own big arm), but there are still a lot of trades and signings to come.
You can count on the baseball Offseason Tracker to help keep the excitement alive all winter long, right up until pitchers and catchers have to report and draft prep season starts all over again.
Following their trade for Tampa Bay Bucs right-hander Tyler Glasnow, the Los Angeles Dodgers grew even better on Thursday.
When healthy, Glasnow is one of the best starters in baseball. It also looks like Ohtani had something to do with getting the 6-foot-8 rocket to move to Southern California.
“Ohtani had already been planning the next move for the Dodgers. Sources told The Athletic the two-way star sent a video to Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Tyler Glasnow trying to get him to come to Los Angeles.
In the film, Shohei Ohtani said he wished his could share a day off with Tyler Glasnow this season.
Due to arm surgery, Ohtani will not be able to pitch with the Dodgers in 2024. “But,” the star said, “I want to hit a few home runs for you.”
Glasnow had a great season in 2023. He threw an all-time high 120 innings, struck out 162 batters, and had an earned run average of 3.53. Along with that, Glasnow only walked 37 batters.
The ex-Ray could become the best pitcher in this rotation if he stays healthy. In the deal, Los Angeles also got Manuel Margot, who gave them more options in the outfield.
Along with the normal Dodgers logos for these kinds of events, the backdrop and podium were decorated with Guggenheim Baseball branding. It wasn’t a mistake.
Everyone agrees that Ohtani, who is 29, is the best baseball player within the world. He’s almost certainly the best player ever.
The Dodgers are going to win plenty of games with his help. That being said, the Dodgers’ choice to sign Ohtani was more of a business move for the team than a baseball deal.
Even though there was a lot of excitement about Ohtani’s contract—first the shocking $700 million price tag, then the unheard-of deferrals—the 2024 Dodgers didn’t get much better with him on the team.
That’s the most important thing the Dodgers need: starting pitcher help. Ohtani won’t be able to throw until 2024.
After having a second surgery on his arm in September 2025, it is still unclear if he will be able to pitch as well as he did before.
He thinks that he will be a much better designated hitter than All-Star J.D. Martinez, both in the batter’s box as well as on the bases, but that he won’t be any better at hitting between the bases.