With Tyler Glasnow a Dodger, here’s how Rays rotation looks for now

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays are going to miss Tyler Glasnow.

Erik Neander, who made the recent deal to trade Glasnow to the Dodgers, is candid in saying so in assessing the rotation without the hard-throwing right-hander.

“We feel different about it than we would have with Tyler being here,” the Rays’ baseball operations president said. “Just having that kind of ace, front-end power potential, accomplished at that level, that’s never something we take for granted. … He’s exactly the pitcher you need to make deep postseason runs.”

But in acknowledging the “difficult” but “right” decision to trade Glasnow and his $25 million salary, Neander said they are confident in who they have left, and where they could end up.

“It’s a good group,” he said.

As of now, that includes incumbents Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale, Zack Littell and Taj Bradley; Ryan Pepiot, who was acquired for Glasnow; and Shane Baz, who will have a limited workload in his return from September 2022 Tommy John surgery.

Two other initial possibilities are relievers Tyler Alexander (the lone lefty in the group) and Chris Devenski, who will be stretched out in the spring to see if one or both can make a Littell-like transition to starting.

At some point mid to late season, the Rays are hoping to have back lefty Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen, both recovering from 2023 elbow surgeries. There is some question if Rasmussen will be used as a starter or reliever, given it was his third major procedure.

And there is at least a possibility, or even a probability, they add another established starter before assembling in Port Charlotte in mid-February.

“It’s always evolving. It’s changing shape, changing names. With pitching especially, you’ve got to be adaptable as you go,” Neander said.

“We do believe we have an assortment of pitchers — who knows what it’s going to look like a month in, two months in — but it’s a group we like. And then the more months we get in, Springs is coming back, Rass, etc., and then obviously Shane (McClanahan) in ’25.”

The top three rotation slots seem to be set, with Eflin leading the way.

The 29-year-old is coming off a dazzling first season with the Rays when he went 16-8, 3.50, made a team-high 31 starts and finished sixth in the AL Cy Young voting.

“Eflin was a rock star all season long,” manager Kevin Cash said.

The Rays are counting on better results from Civale, who was 5-2, 2.34 when acquired from Cleveland, and 2-3, 5.36 once they got him.

“We believe he pitched considerably better than kind of the bottom line run prevention last year,” Neander said.

Littell was somewhat of a savior to last year’s injury-ravaged rotation, moving in from a reliever/opener role in mid-July and going 3-5, 3.34 in 12 starts. Cash said several times they wouldn’t have been a 99-win playoff team without him.

“Couldn’t be more pleased with what he gave us,” Neander said. “(He) just continued to develop and to hold it and to prove that he’s capable of being a guy that can take the ball every fifth or sixth day.”

From there, the Rays have the potential of Pepiot (26), Bradley (22) and Baz (24).

“Those are electric young arms that can continue to grow and become those types of talent that we’ve been fortunate to have here, Glas being the latest one,” Neander said.

“Hopefully they get out to that level in time. It doesn’t happen overnight. It’s not a snap of the fingers. But having some arms like that, in a position where we’re not going to ask them to do too much, they can come along at their pace and there’s opportunity for them, I think puts us in a really good spot.”

Pepiot (PEP-ee-oh), acquired along with outfielder Jonny DeLuca for Glasnow, outfielder Manuel Margot and $4 million, seems most likely to be in the opening week rotation.

Neander cited his experience with the Dodgers (5-1, 2.76 in 17 games over 2022-23). He raved about Pepiot’s three-pitch repertoire and pointed out he’s a “good makeup, good character” guy.

He noted how Pepiot has an advanced changeup that — like former Rays such as Alex Cobb and James Shields — “can buy an awful lot of time” for him, under pitching coach Kyle Snyder, to continue to refine his strike throwing and polish his fastball and breaking ball.

And he said Pepiot, who is under team control through 2028, should be able to impact their rotation sooner rather than later.

“We’ll get him in, but feel like that’s very much right in front of him,” Neander said. “You look at what he’s done in the limited opportunities he’s had so far, it’s been impressive.”

Bradley was impressive at times over four stints last season, especially with his debut accelerated and role amplified given the injuries to others. He was 5-3, 3.86 over his first 10 starts, then 0-5, 7.11 over his remaining 13 outings (11 starts). His 28% strikeout rate (129 of 460 batters faced) was the highest for a rookie in Rays history.

“I think we’re going to see a much — I can’t say ‘better’ because he did a pretty good job — but a much more comfortable version of Taj Round 2,” Cash said.

Baz, acquired with Glasnow in the July 2018 Chris Archer trade, also impressed before arm injuries derailed his 2022 season and led to surgery. He is considered fully healthy, but seems likely to start in the minors as the Rays want to monitor and limit his workload.

“Probably have to take care of (him) a little bit in the early going just to get him through a full season,” Neander said.

Alexander and/or Devenski could become options, either as starters or multi-inning openers, Neander said, “to give us some additional wildcards.”

And the Rays will be monitoring the free-agent market, with the potential to add a starter with some experience. Another option is to find a trade match with their extra infielders or DH Harold Ramirez.

What they won’t have is someone like Glasnow.

But, he, too, thinks they will be just fine.

“The Rays are well equipped with their coaches and the resources in the minor leagues to turn players into their best selves,” Glasnow said. “I think the staff will dominate like they always do. It’s full of young arms with a lot of talent.”

Glasnow says thanks and ‘see you later’

Glasnow thanked the Rays and fans in this Instagram post following the trade:

“I’m forever grateful to everyone in the Rays organization. The past 6 years have been the greatest years of my life. The staff and players I’ve been around during my time as a Ray have made me a better pitcher and person. To the fans of Tampa Bay, thank you so much for your unwavering support and kindness through all the ups and downs. Tampa has become my home and the memories I’ve made here will last forever. This isn’t goodbye just see you later ... probably at Gasparilla or something.

“Playing for the Dodgers has been a dream of mine since I can remember. I’m beyond excited to start this next chapter in my life and can’t wait to play championship baseball in my hometown.”

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