The Tampa Bay Rays are in first place in the American League East as September opens, and a big part of that run has come from Drew Rasmussen. The right-hander has been one of the club’s most reliable arms all season, posting a 2.95 ERA and earning All-Star recognition that has finally brought him some national attention.
Now, though, Rasmussen’s performance is creating a financial decision that could get complicated for Tampa Bay.
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Rays may eventually trade Rasmussen because they may not be comfortable with his 2027 club option. That number began at $8 million when Rasmussen signed a two-year, $8.5 million deal to avoid arbitration last year, but escalators tied to games started and days on the injured list have already pushed it to $18.5 million. If he avoids the injured list and keeps making his usual starts through the end of the season, the option could climb to $20 million by the end of the 2026 regular season.
That matters because $18.5 million would already be a record for the Rays. Charlie Morton’s $15 million salaries in 2019 and 2020 were the franchise’s previous high-water mark.
Feinsand wrote that “it's possible that Tampa Bay could exercise the option and look to trade Rasmussen if the price tag is outside of the club's comfort zone.”
If that happens, Tampa Bay would be parting with one of its best pitchers. Rasmussen is 31, owns that 2.95 ERA this year, and has not finished a season with an ERA in the 3.00s since becoming a starter with the Rays in 2021.
There is obvious risk in committing that kind of money to one player on a team with a limited budget. Still, Rasmussen has been good enough that the Rays should be willing to pay up, pick up the option, and sort out the rest later. If the club ever decides the number is too steep, the cleanest path would still be to exercise the option first and then explore a trade.
But ideally, Tampa Bay keeps him. Rasmussen has been one of MLB’s best pitchers over the last five years, and the Rays are staring at a decision that says as much about their budget as it does about his value.
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