The Tampa Bay Rays are now focused on the MLB offseason after losing to the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series. The Rays have questions to answer in their starting rotation with both Freddy Peralta and Nick Martinez set to enter MLB free agency. Drew Rasmussen is remaining in Tampa Bay, however, as the Rays exercised the $20 million club option on his contract, the team announced.

It is an unsurprising decision, of course. Rasmussen, 31, will garner some American League Cy Young consideration after pitching to a stellar 2.67 ERA across 30 starts in 2026. He added 174 strikeouts in his 172 innings of work on the mound. New York Yankees star Cam Schlittler is likely going to win the AL Cy Young, but Rasmussen deserves to at least be in the conversation.

He was reliable in the postseason as well. The Rays turned to their ace five times, and he rewarded their trust with a 2.20 ERA and 31 strikeouts. He was a big reason why the Rays reached the Fall Classic.

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In the end, Tampa Bay fell short as Milwaukee won the World Series in five games. It was the first championship in the Brewers' franchise history. The Rays, meanwhile, are still searching for their first World Series championship.

They could make another run in 2027 with Drew Rasmussen returning. With that being said, the right-hander is set to enter free agency following the 2027 campaign. Unless a contract extension comes to fruition, Rasmussen could become a trade candidate this offseason. The Rays would surely prefer to keep him around, though.