The Tampa Bay Rays are heading into an offseason where every dollar matters, but one name is already standing out as a possible exception to the club’s usual spending habits: Drew Rasmussen.
According to Will Sammon, Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo of The Athletic, the Rays have interest in keeping their ace beyond the upcoming season by way of a contract extension. That would not come cheap. Rasmussen is currently under contract through the 2027 MLB season on a one-year, $20 million deal, a price tag that already sits high for Tampa Bay’s typical approach.
“The Tampa Bay Rays hold interest in keeping their ace Drew Rasmussen beyond the upcoming season, people familiar with the club’s thinking said,” The Athletic trio reported.
There’s no question why the Rays would want to explore a longer-term arrangement. Rasmussen just put together a season with a 2.67 ERA, and he’s established himself as one of the game’s best starters. From the team’s perspective, the appeal is obvious: pay now, keep a frontline arm in place for years, and avoid the uncertainty that comes with letting a top pitcher drift toward the trade market.
That said, this kind of move would represent a real shift in how the Rays usually operate. A long-term extension for a pitcher of Rasmussen’s caliber would likely push well beyond $20 million per year, and that’s the sort of commitment Tampa Bay has often been reluctant to make. Still, Rasmussen appears to be a special case.
The Rays also have Junior Caminero in the mix as another player who could eventually warrant a major long-term deal, and the broader salary landscape in MLB is expected to change soon. In that context, spending heavily on Rasmussen could make sense if the goal is to keep the roster competitive.
At some point, the Rays are going to have to pay premium money for premium talent if they want to stay in the hunt. Rasmussen, a 31-year-old right-handed ace, looks like the kind of player worth that gamble. Their interest suggests they may finally be ready to act on it.
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