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Ivory CoastRays Pick Up $20 Million Option on Ace Drew Rasmussen
Tampa Bay exercised a $20 million club option on pitcher Drew Rasmussen following his strong 2026 season.
Rays Retain Drew Rasmussen for 2027
The Tampa Bay Rays have officially exercised their $20 million club option for the 2027 season on starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen. Rather than paying a $500,000 buyout, the AL champions decided to keep their two time All Star right hander on the roster.
Rasmussen earned a $5.5 million salary this year under a two year, $8.5 million contract signed in January 2025 to avoid arbitration. His 2027 option price increased from $8 million to $20 million after he stayed healthy throughout the 2026 season and made at least 28 starts. That brings his total contract value to $28 million over three seasons. He can become a free agent after next season.
Regular Season and Postseason Performance
The 31 year old starter enjoyed a great regular season, posting a 16-5 record with a 2.67 ERA across 30 starts. He pitched a career high 172 innings during the regular season, helping guide Tampa Bay to an AL East title.
Rasmussen carried that form into October, going 2-1 with a 2.20 ERA in five postseason starts. In the Division Series opener against the New York Yankees, he took a no hitter into the eighth inning and struck out 10 batters in a 1-0 win. He threw 28⅔ postseason innings as Tampa Bay secured its third pennant.
World Series Action and Career Resilience
In the World Series against Milwaukee, Rasmussen threw 89 pitches over 3⅔ innings in Game 2, getting a no decision before Milwaukee rallied for a 5-4 win. He then started Game 5 on three days rest, leaving behind 1-0 after four innings. He took the loss as Milwaukee won 4-1 to secure the championship.
Rasmussen completed his heavy workload after surviving three major elbow operations in his career. He underwent Tommy John surgeries in 2016 and 2017, followed by an internal brace procedure in 2023. Over seven major league seasons with Milwaukee and Tampa Bay, he holds a 46-22 career record with a 2.83 ERA in 160 games, including 111 starts.
Roster Moves for Other Veterans
While Tampa Bay chose to keep Rasmussen, the franchise declined mutual options on two other veterans on Friday. Starting pitcher Nick Martinez had his $20 million option declined, with the team paying a $4 million buyout on his $13 million, one year deal.
The team also declined a $10 million option on 32 year old outfielder Cedric Mullins, paying a $500,000 buyout. Mullins played under a one year contract worth $7.5 million this season.
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