Tyler Glasnow is a talented pitcher who has made a name for himself in Major League Baseball (MLB) over the past several years. He has become a key player for the Tampa Bay Rays, helping lead them to the World Series in 2020 and earning All-Star honors in 2021.
As with many top athletes, Glasnow’s contract situation is of great interest to fans, analysts, and teams alike. In this article, we will explore whether Tyler Glasnow is a free agent, when his current contract is set to expire, and what his potential value could be if he were to hit the open market.
We will also examine possible landing spots for him and what it could mean for his future in the MLB. Free agency is a crucial aspect of the sports industry, and Glasnow’s status is sure to be closely monitored as his contract draws to a close.
Tyler Glasnow’s Current Contract
Tyler Glasnow signed a two-year contract extension with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022, which is set to take effect from the 2023 season onwards. The contract is worth $30.35 million, with an average annual value (AAV) of $15.175 million per year.
Glasnow’s current contract also includes some notable clauses and incentives. For example, if he finishes in the top three in the American League Cy Young Award voting during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, he will earn a $1 million bonus for each year.
Additionally, if he is traded during the 2023 season, he will receive a $1 million assignment bonus.
In terms of how his contract compares to other MLB pitchers, his AAV of $15.175 million puts him in the middle of the pack among starting pitchers.
However, it’s worth noting that Glasnow has proven to be a top-tier pitcher when healthy, and his potential upside could make this contract a bargain for the Rays if he performs at his best.
When Does Tyler Glasnow Become a Free Agent?
In MLB, a player becomes a free agent when their contract expires and they have at least six years of service time in the league.
Service time is calculated based on the number of days a player spends on an active MLB roster or injured list during a season, with a full year of service time being considered 172 days.
Tyler Glasnow’s current contract with the Tampa Bay Rays runs through the 2024 season, after which he will become a free agent in the 2025 offseason, provided he accrues the necessary service time. At that point, he will be eligible to sign with any team in the league.
However, there are some scenarios that could affect Glasnow’s free agency status before his contract expires. For example, the Rays could choose to offer him a contract extension before he hits free agency, which would keep him with the team for an additional period of time.
Alternatively, the Rays could trade Glasnow to another team before his contract expires, which could impact his free agency status depending on the specifics of the trade agreement.
Tyler Glasnow’s Value as a Free Agent
Tyler Glasnow is widely regarded as one of the most talented pitchers in baseball when healthy, and his performance over the past several seasons has only bolstered his reputation.
If he were to hit the open market as a free agent, he would likely command a significant contract based on his potential upside and past success.
However, there are some factors that could impact Glasnow’s value as a free agent. The most significant of these is his recent injury, as he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021 and is expected to miss a significant portion of the 2022 season.
While there is optimism that he will return to full strength after his recovery, teams may be hesitant to offer him a long-term contract until they have seen how he performs on the field post-surgery.
Other factors that could impact Glasnow’s value include his performance when healthy, the market demand for starting pitching, and the contracts signed by other recent free-agent pitchers.
In terms of performance, Glasnow has been excellent when on the field, with a career 3.54 ERA and 579 strikeouts in 510.2 innings pitched. If he can return to that form after his injury, teams will likely be willing to pay a premium for his services.
As for market demand, the need for quality starting pitching is always high in MLB, and there are likely to be multiple teams vying for Glasnow’s services if he becomes a free agent. Additionally, the contracts signed by other recent free-agent pitchers will also play a role in determining his value.
For example, in the 2020-2021 offseason, top-tier pitchers such as Trevor Bauer and Gerrit Cole signed contracts worth over $30 million per year, which could set a benchmark for Glasnow’s potential earnings.
Overall, Tyler Glasnow’s value as a free agent will depend on a variety of factors, including his health, performance, market demand, and the contracts signed by other top pitchers in recent years.
If he can continue to pitch at a high level and demonstrate that he has fully recovered from his injury, he could be in line for a significant payday when he hits free agency in 2025.
Where Could Tyler Glasnow Sign as a Free Agent?
Assuming Tyler Glasnow hits free agency after the 2024 season, there are several teams that could be in the mix to sign him. The most likely landing spots for him would be teams that need starting pitching help and have the financial resources to sign a top-tier free agent.
One team that could be a good fit for Glasnow is the New York Yankees. The Yankees are always in the market for top-tier talent, and they have a need for starting pitching heading into the 2025 season.
They also have the financial resources to sign a player like Glasnow, as evidenced by their past signings of Gerrit Cole and Masahiro Tanaka.
Another potential landing spot for Glasnow is the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers are perennial contenders and are known for their willingness to spend money to build a championship-caliber roster.
They also have a need for starting pitching, and Glasnow could be a good fit in their rotation alongside other top pitchers like Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler.
Other teams that could be in the mix for Glasnow’s services include the Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, and Chicago Cubs. Each of these teams has a need for starting pitching, and they could have the financial resources to sign a player like Glasnow if they choose to do so.
In addition to financial considerations and team needs, other factors that could impact Glasnow’s decision include geography, team culture, and his own personal preferences.
For example, he may be more inclined to sign with a team that is close to his hometown or has a strong team culture that aligns with his own values.
Ultimately, his decision will depend on a variety of factors, and it’s impossible to predict where he will end up until he becomes a free agent.
Comparison of Current Contracts of Top Mlb Starting Pitchers
Player Name | Current Contract | Years | Total Value | Average Annual Value (AAV) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gerrit Cole | New York Yankees | 9 | $324M | $36M |
Jacob deGrom | New York Mets | 5 | $137.5M | $27.5M |
Zack Greinke | Houston Astros | 6 | $206.5M | $34.4M |
Stephen Strasburg | Washington Nationals (signed in 2019) | 7 | $245M | $35M |
Trevor Bauer | Los Angeles Dodgers | 3 | $102M | $34M |
Tyler Glasnow | Tampa Bay Rays | 2 | $30.35M | $15.175M |
This table provides a comparison of the current contracts of some of the top starting pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB), including Tyler Glasnow.
As of 2023, Glasnow is signed with the Tampa Bay Rays for two years at an average annual value (AAV) of $15.175 million.
This puts him on the lower end of the spectrum compared to some of the other top starting pitchers, such as Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg, who have contracts worth over $30 million per year.
However, it’s worth noting that Glasnow is still a relatively young player and has plenty of time to earn a larger contract in the future, either through an extension with the Rays or as a free agent.
FAQs
Is there a chance that Tyler Glasnow signs a contract extension with the Tampa Bay Rays before he becomes a free agent in 2025?
Yes, there is a chance that Glasnow could sign an extension with the Rays before he hits free agency. The Rays have a history of signing players to team-friendly deals, and if they believe that Glasnow is a key piece of their future, they may try to lock him up with a long-term contract. However, it’s also possible that Glasnow may prefer to test the open market and see what other teams are willing to offer him.
How much money is Tyler Glasnow likely to make as a free agent?
It’s difficult to predict exactly how much money Glasnow will make as a free agent, as it will depend on a number of factors, including his performance leading up to free agency, the demand for starting pitching in the market, and the financial resources of the teams that are interested in signing him. However, given his talent and potential, it’s likely that he will command a significant salary, potentially in the range of $20-30 million per year or more.
Will Tyler Glasnow’s recent injury impact his free agency value?
It’s possible that Glasnow’s recent injury, which required Tommy John surgery and will likely keep him out of action until late in the 2022 season, could impact his free agency value. However, if he is able to return to form and pitch well in the latter part of the 2022 season and into 2023, it’s likely that teams will still view him as a top-tier starting pitcher and be willing to pay a high price to sign him.
What other top starting pitchers will be free agents in the same offseason as Tyler Glasnow?
It’s difficult to predict exactly which starting pitchers will be free agents in the same offseason as Glasnow, as it will depend on which players sign extensions with their current teams and which players choose to opt out of their contracts. However, some other starting pitchers who could potentially be free agents in the same offseason as Glasnow include Clayton Kershaw, Justin Verlander, and Max Scherzer, among others.
Conclusion
Tyler Glasnow is not a free agent at the moment, but he will become eligible for free agency after the 2024 season. When he hits the open market, he is likely to be one of the most sought-after pitchers available, given his talent, age, and potential.
He could be a good fit for a number of teams that need starting pitching and have the financial resources to sign a top-tier free agent.
Ultimately, where he ends up will depend on a variety of factors, including team needs, financial considerations, and his own personal preferences. We will have to wait and see what happens, but it’s clear that Glasnow will be a highly coveted free agent when the time comes.