Rumors: Cubs are Talking to the Rays About Pitching
May 21, 2021; Dunedin, Florida, CAN; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow (20) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
This is supposed to be an off-season which can change the dynamic of the Chicago Cubs roster. With a nice young core, more promising prospects ready to break through, and gobs of money ready to spend – the 2023 Cubs should look vastly different than the 2022 iteration. While most expect the team to spend quite a bit in free agency on a first baseman, shortstop, and pitching, possibly some of their best finds can come on the trade market. Especially in terms of starting pitching.
There are big arms available in free agency, Justin Verlander, Carlos Rodon, and Jacob deGrom to name a few. Those guys are going to cost you $30+ million a season and while any team can add that salary, it could start to limit what you can do in other holes in the team. So, looking to the trade market could be a great option for the Cubs to fill the hole atop their rotation. Enter, the Tampa Bay Rays.
Sources: Mets, Cubs, and Reds have been in touch with the #Rays about their available pitching. The Angels have shown interest, too, as previously reported. @MLBNetwork @MLB https://t.co/WToEdP5PYf
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 14, 2022
It appears the Cubs are talking to the Rays about pitching, and rumors are swirling that Tampa is dangling Tyler Glasnow.
When looking at Glasnow, there’s absolute risk. He is coming off Tommy John in august of 2021, pitched in 6.2 innings in 2022, and hasn’t thrown more than 100 innings (111.2 IP) in 2018. But, the upside is an elite frontline starter and a salary structure which could be very attractive to the Cubs brass.
Glasnow is due $5.35m in 2023, a very palatable cost which would allow the Cubs to aggressively add in other areas. Then, with the salaries of Jason Heyward and Kyle Hendricks coming off the books in 2024, Glasnow’s extension kicks in, paying him $25m. He would then become a free agent after the 2024 season.
Everything about the contract and player fits what the Cubs need. They need a hard-throwing front end starter that misses bats. They need to find low-cost bargains with high-end returns. They need someone that will be off the books in 2-4 seasons as their developed prospects continue to be called up.
The most worrisome, if there is a worry, part about a deal for Glasnow is working with the Rays. They are notorious for winning every trade. They especially don’t mess around when it comes to pitching. While his injury history should keep things reasonable in conversations, it also appears half the league is also talking to the Rays about pitching, in particular, Glasnow.
Regardless, he would be a nice get for the Cubs. With the team seemingly out on every free agent pitcher besides Koudai Senga and Corey Kluber, it does seem like they’ve come up in more trade conversations. We’ve seen the Cubs being interested in guys like Shohei Ohtani and Shane Bieber, but most accounts suggest they’re unavailable. Glasnow fits and the Cubs should have enough resources to be able to make a deal work for the hard-throwing right hander.
