Big Payday For The Ace Pitcher
The Tampa Bay Rays have officially exercised their 20 million dollar club option for pitcher Drew Rasmussen. Instead of paying a 500,000 dollar buyout, the American League champions decided to keep their ace pitcher. The two time All Star will now be able to enter free agency after next season.
Rasmussen earned a salary of 5.5 million dollars this year. That was part of an 8.5 million dollar deal signed in January 2025 to avoid arbitration. The option price jumped from 8 million to 20 million dollars because he stayed healthy all through 2026 and made at least 28 starts. That brings his total contract value to 28 million dollars over three seasons.
Strong Season And Playoff Run
The 31 year old right handed pitcher had a great regular season, posting a 16-5 record with a 2.67 ERA in 30 starts. His efforts helped Tampa Bay capture the AL East title. He kept up that form in the postseason, going 2-1 with a 2.20 ERA across five starts as the team won its third pennant.
In the Division Series opener against the New York Yankees, he pitched a memorable game. He carried a no hitter into the eighth inning and struck out 10 batters to seal a 1-0 win.
World Series Struggles And Injury History
Things got tougher in the World Series against Milwaukee. In Game 2, he threw 89 pitches in three and two thirds innings. He got a no decision as Milwaukee won 5-4 to take a 2-0 series lead. Rasmussen then started Game 5 on three days of rest. He left after four innings trailing 1-0 and took the loss as Milwaukee won 4-1 to claim the title.
This season was a test of endurance. Rasmussen threw a career high 172 innings in the regular season, plus another 28 and two thirds innings in the playoffs. That is notable given his past medical issues. He has undergone three major elbow operations, including Tommy John surgeries in 2016 and 2017, and an internal brace procedure in 2023. Over seven seasons with Milwaukee and Tampa Bay, he holds a career 46-22 record with a 2.83 ERA in 160 games.
Other Roster Changes In Tampa Bay
The decision on Rasmussen comes right after other roster moves. On Friday, the Rays declined mutual options on starting pitcher Nick Martinez and outfielder Cedric Mullins.
Martinez had a 20 million dollar mutual option with a 4 million dollar buyout on his one year, 13 million dollar contract. Mullins had a 10 million dollar mutual option with a 500,000 dollar buyout on his one year, 7.5 million dollar deal.
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