Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen missed many of the 2024 season as he recovered from surgical procedure to restore a torn UCL, however he is been efficient when he is been wholesome, and his group is about to reward him for it.
The righty is closing in on an extension with Tampa Bay that may take him by his remaining two years of arbitration and embody an choice for 2027.
Beverly Hills Sports activities Council, which represents Rasmussen, has already introduced the deal, whereas the Rays have but to publish a launch.
Rasmussen will get a $500,000 signing bonus, in line with Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Occasions. He additionally reported that the pitcher’s 2025 wage shall be $2 million and it’ll enhance to $5.5 million in 2026 with an $8 million choice for 2027. Escalators based mostly on Rasmussen’s well being and innings pitched may bump his pay as much as $20 million, whereas the final 12 months of the contract has a $500,000 buyout.
Rasmussen pitched in 16 video games for the Rays in 2024, primarily out of the bullpen. Over 28.2 innings pitched, he had a 2.83 ERA with 35 strikeouts and a 1.081 WHIP. He has not allowed a house run since April 30, 2023.
The Rays plan to make use of Drew Rasmussen as a starter
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If all goes nicely, the contract the Rays and Rasmussen have agreed on may wind up being extremely team-friendly. Tampa Bay plans to make use of Rasmussen as a starter going ahead, in line with Topkin, and if he stays efficient, his worth may enhance astronomically.
Rasmsusen was a full-time starter for the Rays in 2022 earlier than his harm. He began 28 video games that season, throwing 146 innings and giving up 121 hits with a 2.84 ERA. Although he did not strike out a ton of batters (7.7 per 9 innings), he additionally had a 5.3% stroll fee and 47% floor ball fee.
As he is persevered by harm, Rasmussen has earned the reward of his teaching workers.
“He is about as self-motivated a participant as I’ve ever been round and simply as arduous a employee as I have been round,” Rays pitching coach Kyle Snyder instructed MLB.com in August. “I feel to lots of people on this clubhouse, it isn’t an excessive amount of of a shock, however nonetheless, it must be acknowledged how spectacular it has been.”
Tampa Bay went 80-82 final 12 months however was with out Rasmussen for a protracted stretch and Shane McLanahan for all the 12 months. With McLanahan additionally set to return from Tommy John surgical procedure, the Rays could possibly be including two front-end-caliber starters to a rotation that already has an intriguing mixture of expertise and potential.