3 hypothetical Reds trade packages for Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow

It appears as though there might be some traction for a potential blockbuster trade between the Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Rays. According to a source, the Reds are interested in acquiring Rays starter Tyler Glasnow.

In that same report, which was shared to social media by MLB.com's Mark Sheldon, the Rays are said to be seeking an MLB-ready starter. And that's where it would seem that Cincinnati and Tampa Bay line up rather well.

So, keeping in mind that the Reds are looking for a frontline starter and the Rays are seeking controllable, young pitching, what type of trade package might president of baseball operations Nick Krall be able to piece together in order to secure Glasnow's services for the 2024 season?

1. Reds trade high-upside starter for Tyler Glasnow and bullpen help

I'll be honest, of three the hypothetical trade packages, this is my least favorite. Having said that, it's important to understand that it takes two sides to make a trade. In order to get a pitcher like Tyler Glasnow, the Cincinnati Reds will have to give up something of value.

Is parting with Brandon Williamson too much to ask? Maybe, but it's probably where the Tampa Bay Rays will start. Just like the Reds, the Rays are always on the hunt for value. A left-handed starter with five years of team control certainly checks that box.

This would, of course, weaken the Reds roster as it's assumed that Williamson will be in line to be part of the Cincinnati starting rotation next season. However, like so many young players before him, Williamson could very easily fall into that sophomore slump and be relegated back to the minors.

Much like Jonathan India in the Reds infield, Brandon Williamson seems like the odd-man out in the Reds starting rotation. Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Graham Ashcraft, and Andrew Abbott all have the upper hand at the moment, and the front office and coaches are very high on Connor Phillips.

If I were NIck Krall, in order to part with Williamson, I'd have to have two assurances. First, much like the Reds did with Sonny Gray in 2019, Cincinnati would need to sign Glasnow to a contract extension before executing the trade. The right-hander is already owed $25 million next season.

Second, the Rays would need to sweeten the pot just a touch. With the Reds also looking to bolster the bullpen, perhaps throwing in a player like Andrew Kittredge would help. The reliever underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022, but returned last season and posted some solid numbers.

3. Reds include Jonathan India in trade package for Tyler Glasnow

Finally, we can't talk about trade rumors and the Cincinnati Reds without mentioning Jonathan India. Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall has thrown cold water on the India trade rumors of late, but they'll no doubt ramp up once again with the Winter Meetings just around the corner.

The Reds don't have to trade India, but if the right deal presents itself, Krall and the front office have to listen. Cincinnati has the infield depth to weather the loss of the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year, especially if it meant securing a top-of-the-rotation starter like Tyler Glasnow.

But if the Rays are intent on getting young, MLB-ready pitchers as part of the deal for Glasnow, maybe the Reds could pursuade them to take Levi Stoudt. The right-hander was part of the trade for Luis Castillo in 2022 and got into four games as a rookie in 2023.

In addition to Stoudt and India, maybe a young pitching prospect like Jose Acuña would be enough to get a deal done. Acuña came to Cincinnati by way of the New York Mets trade for Tyler Naquin in 2022. The right-hander is just 21 years old and put up good numbers in the minors last season.

This would be an example of the Reds trading from a position of strength in order to pry Tyler Glasnow away from the Rays. With Glasnow owed $25 million in 2024 and India entering Year 1 of his arbitration window, Tampa Bay would save in excess of $20 million and add two young hurlers.

Who knows if a deal between the Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Rays will actually come to fruition, and it's anyone's guess as to what the actual trade package might look like. But these three scenarios give the Reds fanbase an understanding of what a potential trade for Tyler Glasnow might look like.