Tampa Bay Rays Exercise $20 Million Club Option for Ace Right-Hander Drew Rasmussen
By exercising his $20 million club option, the Tampa Bay Rays locked up premier right-hander Drew Rasmussen for the 2027 season. Rasmussen, 31, produced a career year in helping the Rays win the American League pennant. According to multiple reports, the organization chose this route instead of issuing a $500,000 buyout, a notable milestone given that the franchise has never previously paid a single player $20 million for one season.
The decision follows a breakout campaign where Rasmussen went 16-5 with a 2.67 ERA across 30 regular-season starts. He set single-season personal bests with 174 strikeouts and 172 innings pitched while leading the American League with a 0.913 WHIP and a 5.44 strikeouts-to-walks ratio. He was selected to the All-Star Game for the second time and twice in two seasons.
Contract Escalators Raise Option Value from $8 Million
Rasmussen originally signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract in January 2025 to avoid arbitration. His option year started at an $8 million base, but performance escalators pushed the final price tag up to $20 million.
The financial commitment marks a significant milestone for the franchise. The Rays have never paid one player $20 million for a single season.
Postseason Work and World Series Run
During the 2026 postseason, Rasmussen posted a 2-1 record and a 2.20 ERA over 28 2/3 innings across five starts, striking out 31 batters and walking five. A signature moment came in Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, where he took a no-hitter through two outs in the eighth inning before finishing with one hit allowed and 10 strikeouts in a 1-0 victory.
Rasmussen later pitched in the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, who claimed their first championship with a 4-1 victory in St. Petersburg, Florida. He took the loss in Game 5 on three days’ rest, allowing one run on two hits over four innings. He also started Game 2 in Milwaukee, earning a no-decision after yielding three runs in 3 2/3 innings.
Medical History and Roster Impact
Rasmussen’s career path includes extensive rehabilitation following three major elbow procedures: Tommy John surgeries in 2016 and 2017, followed by an internal brace procedure in 2023. Across 160 career regular-season games and 111 starts with the Milwaukee Brewers from 2020 to 2021 and the Tampa Bay Rays from 2021 onward, he holds a 46-22 record, two saves, and a 2.83 ERA with 602 strikeouts in 632 2/3 innings.
The Rays retained Rasmussen’s services as fellow starting pitchers Nick Martinez and Freddy Peralta were granted free agency. Rasmussen can become a free agent after the 2027 season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Drew Rasmussen’s original base price for the 2027 option?
The club option started at an $8 million base before performance escalators increased the final value to $20 million.
How many major elbow surgeries has Drew Rasmussen undergone?
Rasmussen has undergone three major elbow operations, consisting of Tommy John surgeries in 2016 and 2017 and an internal brace procedure in 2023.
What were Rasmussen’s primary statistics during the regular season?
He went 16-5 with a 2.67 ERA, 174 strikeouts, and a league-leading 0.913 WHIP across 30 regular-season starts.
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