Equivalent Tyler Glasnow trade package suggests this Reds prospect as likely target

Since Tyler Glasnow's name emerged in trade rumors earlier this offseason, the proposed return that the Tampa Bay Rays have been seeking was always said to include a young starting pitcher.

Seeing as how the Reds have been trying to assemble quality pitching depth in their farm system, it always seemed as if Cincinnati would have a difficult time meeting Tampa Bay's trade demands.

After all, for a small market team like the Cincinnati Reds, giving up five or six years of a young pitcher in exchange for one year of an injury-prone starter like Glasnow just didn't make much sense. And after seeing the proposed trade package with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Reds were right to walk away.

Trading for Tyler Glasnow likely would've cost the Reds this top prospect

It appears as though a potential trade between the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers is imminent. The latest reports suggests that Tyler Glasnow and Manuel Margot will be sent to LA in exchange for Ryan Pepiot and Jonny Deluca.

Though the final details of the trade still need to be ironed out, it wouldn't be surprising to see a deal come together very soon. Even if the Rays agree to pay down some of Glasnow's $25 million salary, that type of return is one the Cincinnati Reds were right to avoid.

To put it into context for Reds fans, that proposed trade package would be the equivalent of Cincinnati sending highly-touted pitching prospect Connor Phillips and either Rece Hinds or Blake Dunn to Tampa Bay.

That's a steep price to pay for one year of Glasnow and a below-average outfield bat like Margot. While Glasnow and Margot would bring a frontline starter and right-handed hitting outfielder to Cincinnati, both are free agents after the 2024 season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, after signing Shohei Ohtani, are in win-now mode. Such a trade for Tyler Glasnow and Manuel Margot, is the type of high-risk deal that Andrew Friedman and LA's front office can afford to make.

However, for Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall, the price tag is much too high. The Reds may be looking to contend in 2024, but there are still several unknowns with such a young team.

There are several free agent starters still available on the open market, and a few trade candidates that could help the Reds bolster their rotation before Opening Day next season.