MLB Rumor: Tyler Glasnow becomes Dodgers’ high-stakes trade weapon; Yankees position Kyle Tucker as Cody Bellinger backup

MLB insiders are having a busy time reporting possible options for teams as they look to shuffle around their rosters and get ready for Spring Training in February. Last week cropped up two big rumors involving the 2024 World Series contenders, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees.

Tyler Glasnow named as probable trade option for Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers have significantly bolstered their starting rotation in recent years. They signed Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow ahead of the 2024 season and added Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki this year while trusting prospect Emmet Sheehan with more game time.

With all six of them healthy during the postseason, Sasaki and Sheehan had to pitch from the bullpen. That is unlikely to be a scenario for Opening Day next year. If the Dodgers are firm on reverting to a five-man rotation, one of them could be a trade candidate.

According to an anonymous MLB executive speaking to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, in an article published on Wednesday, the Dodgers could move Glasnow.

"Sleeper name: Tyler Glasnow," said the executive. "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."

Glasnow pitched 4-3 with a 3.19 ERA over 90.1 innings in the regular season. In the postseason, he earned four runs in 21.1 innings over six appearances. He is owed $65 million in the next two years, with a possible $30 million club option, which could get converted to a $21.5 million player option if declined.

Since becoming a full-time starter in 2019, Glasnow has pitched only 100 starts. His durability has been a point of focus, but whenever he has been on the mound, he has delivered, having a 3.74 career ERA.

Yankees prioritize Cody Bellinger but keep higher valued Kyle Tucker as backup

The Yankees secured Trent Grisham with a $22 million qualifying offer to pair alongside Aaron Judge in the outfield. The team is currently expected to sign one major outfield free agent.

According to the NY Post's Jon Heyman, the New York Yankees are looking to bring back Cody Bellinger via free agency. But if the deal breaks down, the team will pivot towards Kyle Tucker as the backup option. The Yankees want to extract the most out of Bellinger's versatility in the outfield.

However, Tucker remains the hottest free agent in the current class. The slugger has consistently performed at the plate and, at 29 years of age, is expected to receive at least a ten-year contract worth north of $350 million.

Meanwhile, Bellinger, who will turn 31 midseason next year, has had ups and downs in his recent seasons. The Chicago Cubs, with whom he took a second-year player option for 2025, ultimately traded him to the Yankees and replaced him with Tucker. In the Bronx, the former NL MVP got back to form, hitting at .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs.