The LA Angels should stay far away from a Tyler Glasnow trade
The LA Angels are certainly in the market for starting pitching this offseason through the trade block.
They better not, however, be looking at trading for Tyler Glasnow. Recently, Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors was asked "Wouldn't the Angels trading for Glasnow make sense since they only signed Thor for 1 year and may need a replacement for 2023?" in a chat. Adams responded:
Virtually any team makes sense as a trade partner for Glasnow...Trading for Glasnow is basically the same as getting him on one of the two-year, $10MM contracts that Drew Smyly (Cubs) and Michael Pineda (Twins) got to rehab from Tommy John four years ago. That price should appeal to anyone, including the Rays, who'd justifiably ask a pretty decent return.
The Angels, however, don't need to make a trade for another pitcher coming off of an injury. Glasnow partially tore his UCL in June, and had to receive Tommy John surgery in August after his rehab didn't work out very well. He is likely to miss all of the 2022 season.
The LA Angels can't take another risk by trading for Tyler Glasnow.
Fact: The LA Angels have missed the postseason in each of the last seven years mostly due to lackluster starting pitching. So while some may use that as a reason as to why the Halos should go after Tyler Glasnow, it shouldn't be due to the injury risk that comes with him.
After all the injuries the Angels had last year, they should not be going for someone who's as injury prone as Glasnow. Glasnow only started 12 games in 2019, and only 14 this season. He did start 11 in 2020, but his last two full seasons haven't gone well.
The Halos already took a chance on signing Noah Syndergaard this offseason, who's coming off of an injury. Their No. 3 starter in Patrick Sandoval is coming off of an injury. They really can't afford to go with another pitcher coming off of an injury.
If he had came back at the end of the season, such as Carlos Rodon (who the Angels specifically are linked to), then I'd get it. There's so much uncertainty surrounding Glasnow, however, that it's not worth the risk. He most likely won't even pitch this upcoming season.
We're already screwed for 2022 with Chris Rodriguez's injury, and we don't need to take on another player who will quite possibly be out for even longer than Rodriguez. Glasnow is a good pitcher when on the field, but being on that field has proven to be challenging for Glasnow.