Trade, Keep, Build Around: 3 Tampa Bay Rays with 3 Different Outcomes

Keep: Tyler Glasnow

If the Rays are looking to pull off another heist like the Chris Archer trade from years ago, Tyler Glasnow would be prime candidate for the "trade" section. But if Tampa Bay is serious about being a World Series contender, keeping Glasnow could make their pitching staff one of the best we've seen in a long time.

Before his season ending elbow surgery in 2021, Glasnow broke out as one of the best pitchers in baseball and cruised to a 2.66 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 123 Ks in just 88 innings of work. Glasnow looked every bit like the Cy Young candidate the team had thought he could be, but is still working his way back from his Tommy John procedure.

Perhaps the injury could be a blessing in disguise for the Tampa Bay ballclub. Had Glasnow continued his breakout season, he'd likely be a candidate for one of the biggest contracts to a pitcher in baseball, something the Rays simply cannot afford. But with the uncertainty of his market following that injury, the Rays may be able to extend the stud right hander to a more team friendly deal that gives Glasnow security for the next 3-5 seasons.

Although it would be a risky extension for the club, if Glasnow is willing to sign something, they have to offer it to him. The idea of teaming up Glasnow with the likes of Shane McClanahan, Shane Baz, Luis Patino, Taj Bradley, and countless other pitchers in the organization gives the Rays depth to withstand injuries to any of their key pitchers, and perhaps one of the most loaded rotations we have seen.