The Los Angeles Dodgers have entered the 2026 season with the rare combination of momentum and flexibility. Fresh off a second consecutive World Series title, the front office has continued to explore ways to extend the franchise’s championship window without compromising its long-term stability. That balance has fueled speculation around several veteran players this offseason — none louder than right-hander Tyler Glasnow.
Those rumors appear to be over.
Glasnow Addresses the Chatter Directly
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In recent days, Glasnow’s name surfaced in league-wide trade conversations, including speculation that he could be a centerpiece in a potential blockbuster pursuit of Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez reported during the Winter Meetings that Los Angeles would not be opposed to moving Glasnow under the right circumstances, noting that his contract and talent level would appeal to teams willing to bet on his health.
On Sunday, however, Glasnow offered rare clarity from the player’s perspective.
Appearing on MLB Network Radio’s Sunday Sliders with Dani Wexelman, Glasnow revealed that Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman contacted him directly to shut down the speculation.
“I’d seen some rumors that I would get traded, so I didn’t know what to believe,” Glasnow said. “[But] I talked to [Andrew Friedman] and the front office and they were like, ‘No, you’re not going anywhere.’ So they told me I’m not going to get traded and I trust them.”
That reassurance seemed to carry real weight for the Southern California native, who spoke openly about the emotional grounding that comes with pitching for his hometown team.
“I think any time I do get overwhelmed or stressed with baseball, I think sometimes it’s nice to just be able to zoom out and be like, ‘Dude, what are you freaking out about? You’re literally living your dream, playing in Dodger Stadium.’”
“I’ll have these moments where I’ll look up and check out the seats where I used to sit and just soak it all in,” he added. “I do think, thinking about my younger self, I don’t even think he’d believe it.”
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Why Teams Asked — and Why the Dodgers Said No
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From an external perspective, it’s easy to understand why Glasnow’s name came up. The Dodgers have an unusual surplus of high-end pitching, and the trade market for starting pitchers has been unusually active this winter, with multiple playoff teams reportedly open to moving frontline arms.
Glasnow’s contract only adds to his appeal. He is owed $30 million annually for the next two seasons, with a $30 million club option for 2028 that converts into a $21.6 million player option if declined. For a pitcher entering his age-32 season who has posted a 3.37 ERA, 3.24 FIP, and a 30.9% strikeout rate across 40 regular-season starts with the Dodgers — plus a dominant 1.69 ERA in six postseason outings — that deal is widely viewed as team-friendly.
But depth cuts both ways. The Dodgers’ rotation talent is matched by an extensive injury history, making quantity almost as valuable as top-end quality. Glasnow himself experienced both sides of that reality, missing much of the 2025 regular season before returning to anchor the pitching staff in October.
Given that context, Los Angeles moving a proven, playoff-tested arm would run counter to how the organization has typically protected itself against attrition.
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Glasnow Isn’t the Only Name That Surfaced
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Glasnow’s rumors weren’t isolated. Outfielder Teoscar Hernández also saw his name floated in trade discussions earlier this offseason, with the Kansas City Royals expressing interest before reshaping their outfield through other moves. While Dodgers leadership downplayed the likelihood of a Hernández deal, the repeated mentions of veteran regulars suggest something broader at play.
Friedman has acknowledged that the organization is increasingly mindful of age, roster turnover, and creating opportunities for younger players from its deep farm system. Even if no immediate deals materialize, the willingness to listen reflects a front office comfortable operating creatively from a position of strength.
What It Means Going Forward
For now, Glasnow remains central to the Dodgers’ plans. His public comments, paired with direct communication from the front office, effectively close the door on speculation surrounding his future in Los Angeles this winter.
That doesn’t mean the Dodgers are done exploring bold ideas — only that if they chase another superstar arm like Skubal, it will have to come through an alternate path.
In the meantime, Glasnow appears content exactly where he is: pitching for the team he grew up watching, anchoring a rotation built not just to win again, but to keep winning.
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