At the onset of the MLB betting odds offseason was a move that dwarfed all others. To illuminate, the Dodgers signed RHP/DH Shohei Ohtani to a $700 million, ten-year contract. Just when fans and gamblers believe baseball payrolls can’t get any more insane, they become even more insane. Certainly, the former Angel Ohtani is the best player in the game. But is he worth $700 million? We are about to find out. Gamblers love the new look Dodgers. Also, Los Angeles added RHP Tyler Glasnow from the Tampa Bay Rays. That move looks just as important.
2024 MLB World Series Future Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | +400 |
| Atlanta Braves | +650 |
| New York Yankees | +1000 |
| Houston Astros | +1000 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +1100 |
| Texas Rangers | +1100 |
| Baltimore Orioles | +1500 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | +1200 |
| All Other Teams | +2200 or Higher |
Following Ohtani’s unprecedented sports betting contract, the Dodgers needed to find ways to upgrade their rotation. They didn’t wait long. Tyler Glasnow provides as much upside as any pitcher available.
Although given their abundance of arms throughout the farm system, it was a bit of a surprise to see them add one member to the starting rotation. So, it makes sense that the Dodgers would want assurance from Glasnow that this partnership will last beyond 2023 for them to move forward.
Indeed, Glasnow was already owed $25 million for 2024. This contract adds four years and $110 million to Glasnow’s contract. And that would take him through his age-34 season in 2027. Would Glasnow do better than 4/110 on the open market next winter? Of course, that is highly dependent on how he pitches in 2024.
But it is an especially intriguing proposition for a pitcher in Glasnow. Consider he has been so good when available but simply not on the mound nearly as much as the front-end arms he’s often compared to.
Should Glasnow clear 150 innings for the first time in his career and maintain a similar or better level of performance than he’s shown in relatively shorter spurts thus far, a $27 million might end up seeming a tad light. But considering the MLB future lines risk baked in, this appears to be a reasonable compromise on both sides. As for Glasnow, there are far worse places and teams to commit to than the Dodgers for obvious reasons. Regardless of how much money he might have left on the table pending his future performance.
Specifically for Los Angeles, landing Glasnow improves the team now. Extending him helps clarify their rotation outlook further down the line. Referring to a pitcher who carries substantial durability question marks of his own as insurance is risky. Especially with Walker Buehler slated to hit free agency after this upcoming season. Also, Dustin May is on track to hit the open market after 2025. Having dealt away a likely rotation candidate in Ryan Pepiot to land Glasnow, the Dodgers are still motivated to add another arm.
On the whole, when healthy, few can miss bats the way Glasnow does. The first part of that sentence, however, is doing a lot of work. Last year, Glasnow threw 120 innings. And that represented a career-high for the eight-year veteran who has struggled to remain on the field but thrived when available. Namely, Spencer Strider was the only starter in baseball last year with a higher strikeout rate than Glasnow.