Drew Rasmussen will earn $20 million for the upcoming season after the Tampa Bay Rays officially exercised their club option on the right-handed pitcher. The figure is the highest amount the Rays have ever paid a player in the history of the concession, eclipsing the $15 million Charlie Morton earned with the team in 2019.
A Career-Best Campaign on the Mound
The financial commitment follows the most productive season of Rasmussen’s major league career. During the 2026 campaign, the 31-year-old pitcher posted a 16-5 record and a 2.67 earned run average across 172 innings pitched while recording 174 strikeouts.
Manager Kevin Cash did not use Rasmussen during the first game of the World Series—a decision the club paid for as the Rays fell short against the champion Milwaukee Brewers.
Rewriting the Franchise Payroll History
By locking in the $20 million option agreed upon when Rasmussen signed his contract in 2025, the Tampa Bay front office signaled its willingness to invest to make the team perennial. The deal surpasses Morton’s 2019 salary. Over his entire major league career to date, the Washington native has accumulated just over $12 million in total earnings, meaning his salary in 2027 could allow him to surpass the totality of his financial gains over time.
The Rays have excersized their 2027 club option worth $20 million on Drew Rasmussen pic.twitter.com/NHQKCeTY2U
Rasmussen is not as flamboyant as Jacob Misiorowski or Tarik Skubal, but his baseball IQ is above average. Because the team does not have athletes who command vertiginous salaries within their lineup, the organization can allow itself such an expense.
Financial Impact and Future Outlook
With Rasmussen back under contract for 2027, Kevin Cash can count on a reassuring presence and a pitcher who controls the game well. At age 31, he still has good seasons ahead of him, justifying an investment to retain a reliable and effective pitcher.
