LOS ANGELES, CA — As MLB Free Agency explodes into its Winter Frenzy, the Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly plotting a league-wide shockwave: the potential trade of World Series hero and ace-caliber pitcher Tyler Glasnow.
The move seems unthinkable. Glasnow was dominant during the 2025 postseason, even earning a crucial save in Game 6 of the World Series. Yet, multiple MLB executives have labeled the hard-throwing right-hander as the Dodgers’ “sleeper” trade chip, sparking questions over whether the franchise would truly move a star to strengthen an already unfairly stacked rotation.
The Argument for Trading Glasnow
The logic behind trading an elite pitcher with a $32.5 million salary in 2026 is rooted entirely in the Dodgers’ unprecedented pitching surplus.
- The Rotation Logjam: The Dodgers’ starting staff is overflowing with high-end talent, essentially guaranteeing a five-man rotation of:
- Shohei Ohtani
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto
- Blake Snell
- Roki Sasaki
- Emmet Sheehan / Gavin Stone
- The Executive Rationale: As one anonymous executive told ESPN, “Feels like the Dodgers can go to Ohtani, Yamamoto, [Blake] Snell, Sasaki, [Emmet] Sheehan and others and use Glasnow on the trade market to cover up holes.”
- Financial Flexibility: Glasnow is owed $94 million through 2028 (assuming the team option is exercised). Trading him would free up significant cash and luxury tax space, which could be immediately reallocated to address the team’s true weaknesses: bullpen depth and outfield stability.
The Controversy: Trading a Postseason Hero
The idea is controversial because Glasnow, when healthy, is one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball.
- Injury Risk Mitigation: While Glasnow dealt with injuries in 2025 (limited to 18 regular season starts), his departure would remove a significant insurance policy. Any injury to Ohtani, Yamamoto, or Snell would immediately leave the Dodgers thin, despite their depth.
- The “Unfairly Stacked” Mindset: Trading Glasnow means giving up on the notion of an unmatchable, six-man, three-peat rotation that could redefine pitching depth in baseball.
Glasnow’s Contract Details
The trade value of Glasnow is massive, but his contract is a major factor:
| Year | Payroll Salary | Luxury Tax AAV | Control Status |
| 2026 | $32.5 Million | $27.3125 Million | Signed |
| 2027 | $32.5 Million | $27.3125 Million | Signed |
| 2028 | $30.0 Million | $30.0 Million | Club Option |
Glasnow does not possess a no-trade clause, giving President Andrew Friedman the complete flexibility to pursue a blockbuster deal.
This winter, the question for the Dodgers isn’t whether they need Glasnow—it’s whether the assets he could return are more valuable than keeping a seemingly unfair amount of elite talent on the roster.
