The Dodgers added a new pitcher to their rotation on Thursday, According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, completing the trade of Tyler Glasnow with the Tampa Bay Rays. In exchange for Glasnow, the Rays will reportedly receive outfielder Johnny DeLuca and pitcher Ryan Bebiot. The Dodgers will also receive outfielder Manuel Margot in the deal.
The deal was contingent on Glasnow signing an extension with the Dodgers, and as of Friday, the two sides are finalizing a five-year, $135 million deal, per Passan.
BREAKING: Tyler Glasnow and the Los Angeles Dodgers are finalizing a five-year, $135 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Once the deal is completed, the trade of Glasnow and Manuel Margot from the Rays to the Dodgers for Ryan Bebiot and Johnny DeLuca will be official.
– Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 15, 2023
Michael Wacha is headed to Kansas City
The Royals wanted to bolster their rotation this offseason, and on Friday, they reportedly landed their second starting pitcher of the winter. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passanright-hander Michael Wacha has agreed to a two-year, $32 million deal with Kansas City.
Wacha, 32, was 14-4 with 124 strikeouts in 134.1 innings pitched in 24 games with the San Diego Padres last season. He will join Seth Lugo as the new faces of the Royals’ rotation. They were the 17th and 18th free agents on Zach Crizer’s top 25 free agents list.
Dodgers introduce Shohei Ohtani in media conference
Shohei Ohtani made his first appearance in a Dodgers jersey on Thursday, when the team officially introduced him in a media conference at Dodger Stadium.
In addition to the formalities, those in attendance learned Thursday that Ohtani’s American bulldog name is a decoy and that Dodgers ownership has told the two-way star that they consider the past decade a failure.
Shohei Ohtani said Dodgers ownership told him that even though they had made the playoffs 10 straight times and won a ring, they viewed the past decade as a failure. He said this mentality appealed to him.
– Stephanie Epstein (@stephapstein) December 14, 2023
Not much has been revealed about the procedure Ohtani had on his elbow, except that it was different from standard Tommy John surgery.
I asked Nez Balelo directly about Shohei Ohtani’s surgery. He said he doesn’t have a name — which is uncommon — and that his progress so far exceeds the typical Tommy John surgery recovery timeline.
– JP Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) December 14, 2023
The Tigers reportedly added Flaherty on a one-year deal
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Thursday That former Cardinals outfielder Jack Flaherty is headed to the Detroit Tigers on a one-year, $14 million deal. The 28-year-old will attempt to rebuild his reputation and return to the free agent market next winter. He was the 25th free agent on Crizer’s list.
Giants sign Korean Jung Ho Lee to a 6-year deal
The San Francisco Giants have signed South Korean outfielder Jung Ho Lee Six-year deal worth $113 million Thursday. The contract reportedly includes an opt-out after four years.
Lee, who became the latest KBO star to make the jump to MLB, was ranked No. 10 on Crizer’s list.
Ohtani ended his free agency with an Instagram post
The biggest fish in this year’s free agency has found his new pond. According to his Instagram announcement on December 9, All-Star Shohei Ohtani has joined the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The deal is 10 years and $700 million, a record contract in all major professional sports.
The deal contains huge deferrals that include the majority of Ohtani’s salary — $680 million to be exact — at the player’s request. Ohtani could also reportedly opt out of the contract if some members of the Dodgers’ leadership leave the organization.
Yankees add Soto in 7-player swap
The biggest and perhaps only event of the year’s Winter Meetings occurred late on December 6, as the Yankees completed a trade to acquire Juan Soto from the Padres.
The news came one day after the Yankees traded former Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo on December 5, rebooting their stadium for 2024.
In exchange for Soto, the Padres received Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Johnny Brito, Randy Vasquez and Kyle Higashioka. The Yankees also acquired outfielder Trent Gresham in the swap.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a significant move to bolster their starting rotation by acquiring Tyler Glasnow in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. The acquisition of the hard-throwing right-hander is a clear indication of the Dodgers’ commitment to strengthening their pitching staff as they look to defend their World Series title. Glasnow brings a wealth of talent and experience to the Dodgers, and his addition is sure to have a major impact on the team’s playoff aspirations. This trade has undoubtedly generated excitement and anticipation among Dodgers fans as they eagerly await to see how Glasnow will contribute to the team’s success.