Overview
- The Tampa Bay Rays announced Saturday that they exercised Rasmussen's club option for 2027, paying $20 million instead of a $500,000 buyout and keeping him under team control for one more season.
- The option rose from $8 million to $20 million because Rasmussen met contract escalators by staying healthy and making the required number of starts during his breakout 2026 campaign.
- Rasmussen delivered a career year in 2026, going 16-5 with a 2.67 ERA, 174 strikeouts and 172 innings over 30 starts and providing strong postseason outings including a no-hit bid into the eighth inning against the Yankees.
- The 31-year-old has a history of major elbow procedures, including two Tommy John surgeries and a 2023 internal brace, which makes his durability a key factor for whether the Rays pursue a multiyear extension or shop him in trade talks.
- Tampa Bay also declined mutual options on Nick Martinez and Cedric Mullins, a move that, combined with Rasmussen's $20 million salary, will shape the club's offseason roster and payroll choices for 2027.