Dodgers Rumors: Could Tyler Glasnow Be Trade Bait in a Creative Offseason Approach?
The Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t exactly known for penny-pinching. When it comes to chasing championships, they’ve never been shy about opening the checkbook.
But this offseason feels a little different. With a free-agent class full of big names-and big question marks-and the uncertainty of a new CBA looming after next season, the Dodgers might be ready to pivot from their usual playbook.
Instead of simply writing another massive check, they could be looking for creative ways to retool a roster that’s still built to contend.
One name that’s quietly started to surface in trade chatter? Tyler Glasnow.
Now, let’s be clear-there’s no indication the Dodgers are actively shopping Glasnow. But according to league insiders, he’s a name that’s come up in conversations among executives, especially as teams start laying the groundwork for potential Winter Meetings deals. While ESPN’s Jesse Rogers stirred the pot by asking execs to name the top trade candidates this offseason (excluding Tarik Skubal), it was interesting to see Glasnow’s name floated by at least one executive.
The logic behind it isn’t hard to follow. Glasnow, when healthy, is a frontline-caliber arm.
But health has never been a guarantee. He’s 32 now, with a history of injuries that make him a bit of a gamble.
And with $32.5 million owed over the next two seasons-and a $30 million club option in 2028 that becomes a $21.5 million player option if declined-he’s not exactly a budget-friendly piece.
Still, this is the Dodgers we’re talking about. They won’t publicly frame his contract as a problem, and they don’t need to. But if the right deal came along-one that helped them address more pressing needs in the outfield or bullpen-they’d at least have to consider it.
And here’s where things get interesting. Even without Glasnow, the Dodgers’ projected rotation is stacked.
Shohei Ohtani is expected to return to the mound. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is ready to take on a full season.
Blake Snell adds another Cy Young arm. Emmett Sheehan continues to develop, and Roki Sasaki is reportedly shifting back to a starting role.
That’s a rotation with both upside and depth-two things the Dodgers lacked at times in 2025 due to a wave of injuries.
So if Glasnow becomes expendable, it’s not because he isn’t talented. It’s because the Dodgers might be in a position to deal from strength.
The question then becomes: what kind of return would prompt them to move a pitcher of Glasnow’s caliber?
This isn’t about a salary dump. The Dodgers aren’t giving away a top-tier arm just to save a few bucks.
But if including Glasnow in a deal helps them land someone like Steven Kwan from the Guardians-an elite contact hitter and Gold Glove outfielder-it suddenly makes a lot more sense. Or maybe his salary coming off the books clears space to add another high-impact player via free agency or trade.
In that case, moving Glasnow becomes less about subtraction and more about strategic flexibility.
The Dodgers have always been one of the smartest front offices in baseball. They don’t just chase stars-they build rosters with balance, depth, and long-term vision.
If Glasnow ends up being part of a larger puzzle this winter, it won’t be because they’re desperate. It’ll be because they see an opportunity to get better.
So while nothing is imminent, and Glasnow remains a Dodger for now, don’t be surprised if his name continues to pop up as the offseason heats up. In a winter where creativity might trump cash, the Dodgers could be ready to make moves that turn heads-and reshape their roster in the process.