Rays Have No Plans to Trade Drew Rasmussen, but History Suggests Caution

The Tampa Bay Rays have made it clear they intend to keep Drew Rasmussen for the 2027 season.

However, that doesn't necessarily mean the veteran right-hander won't be traded before Opening Day.

Tampa Bay recently exercised Rasmussen's $20 million club option for next season, making him the highest-paid player in franchise history.

And while Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander has publicly expressed confidence that Rasmussen will remain with the organization, Tampa Bay's financial history suggests a trade can't be completely ruled out.

Speaking about Rasmussen's future, Neander explained that the organization currently expects him to remain an important part of its starting rotation.

"I can sit here very confidently and say that every intention right now is thinking about 'Ras' anchoring our rotation and how to make this team better going into next year."

Those comments certainly suggest the Rays aren't actively looking to move Rasmussen.

However, there's an important difference between intending to keep a player and guaranteeing he'll remain with the organization.

Especially considering Rasmussen's contract situation.

The 31-year-old originally had an $8 million club option for 2027, but performance incentives increased that amount to $20 million after he reached the required number of starts.

And while Tampa Bay could have declined the option and paid a $500,000 buyout, the organization instead elected to retain Rasmussen at the increased salary.

That decision makes sense considering his performance throughout the 2026 season.

Rasmussen finished the regular season with a 16-5 record, 2.67 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 174 strikeouts across 172 innings.

He also earned his second All-Star selection while helping Tampa Bay capture the American League East title and reach its third World Series in franchise history.

However, those accomplishments also make Rasmussen an attractive potential trade candidate.

Another organization looking to improve its starting rotation could acquire an established pitcher without committing to a lengthy contract.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay could potentially receive valuable young players in return while removing a significant salary from its payroll.

And considering the Rays have consistently operated with one of baseball's smaller payrolls, that possibility shouldn't necessarily be dismissed.

Especially considering the organization's history.

Tampa Bay traded Blake Snell to the San Diego Padres following the 2020 season despite his importance to the starting rotation.

The Rays also traded Tyler Glasnow to the Los Angeles Dodgers before the 2024 season, moving another established pitcher entering the final year of his contract.

Those decisions demonstrated the organization's willingness to move important players when it believed the return could benefit its long-term future.

However, trading Rasmussen would also create some significant questions surrounding Tampa Bay's starting rotation.

Nick Martinez recently entered free agency after the Rays declined his $20 million mutual option for 2027.

Freddy Peralta is also entering free agency following an impressive postseason performance, while Shane McClanahan has already been mentioned as a potential offseason trade candidate.

Losing Rasmussen would only create additional uncertainty for an organization coming off a 98-win season.

And considering Tampa Bay finished just three victories away from winning its first World Series championship, weakening the starting rotation might not be the organization's preferred approach.

However, exercising Rasmussen's option also gives the Rays some flexibility.

Rather than allowing him to become a free agent without receiving anything in return, Tampa Bay now controls his contract for another season.

That means the organization can either keep Rasmussen as one of its most important starting pitchers or consider moving him if another team makes a significant offer.

And while Neander has made it clear the Rays currently intend to keep Rasmussen, the organization's history suggests those plans could change under the right circumstances.

That doesn't necessarily mean a trade will happen.

However, considering his salary, contract situation, and potential value to another organization, it's difficult to completely dismiss the possibility.

Especially if another team makes an offer that Tampa Bay simply can't afford to turn down.