Cash From Rays Trade Dependent On Manuel Margot’s Contract Option

The Los Angeles Dodgers recently finalized a major trade with the Tampa Bay Rays to acquire Tyler Glasnow and Manuel Margot in exchange for Ryan Pepiot and Jonny DeLuca.

Glasnow and the Dodgers immediately agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension worth $136.5 million. The deal also includes a team option for the 2028 season and converted part of his 2024 salary into a signing bonus.

Margot is under contract for next season, but also has a mutual option for 2025. If the Dodgers exercise their team option, they’ll be on the hook for Margot’s $12 million salary.

However, as part of the trade, the Rays included $4 million to offset the cost of Margot’s deal for both 2024 and possibly the season beyond that, depending on if the Dodgers pick up the option, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times:

The Dodgers will get $2 million now and the other $2 million only if they decline the option.

The 29-year-old provides the Dodgers with a quality veteran bat for the outfield. Margot only appeared in 97 games for the Rays this past season due to missing a decent bit of time with an elbow injury late in the year.

Margot underwhelmed at the plate, posting a 93 wRC+ in 336 plate appearances. The Dodgers are likely to maximize his potential against southpaws, to which he’s posted a 109 wRC+ in his career.

Where does Manuel Margot fit in Dodgers outfield?

With the Dodgers seemingly committed to using Mookie Betts primarily at second base during the 2024 season, the outfield group has several alignments available.

James Outman received a bulk of the playing time in center field, and after finishing third in National League Rookie of the Year voting, he’ll continue to have the starting job. That leaves Jason Heyward in right field and as the Dodgers’ only other left-handed option.

Margot saw significant time with the Rays, but his best success came against left-handed pitching.

Swapping Margot with DeLuca is essentially a push to platoon with Heyward, but the Dodgers still have a hole in left field. They’re likely to find another option as a second platoon with Chris Taylor, or a full-time option at either corner slot.