TL;DR
- Drew Rasmussen is a "darkhorse" trade candidate for the Tampa Bay Rays this winter.
- He boasts impressive stats like a 2.76 ERA and strong underlying performance metrics.
- Rasmussen's affordable contract through 2026 makes him an attractive option for teams.
- Injury history is a factor, but his pitching capabilities appear recovered and cost-effective.
Drew Rasmussen isn’t the first name fans toss into offseason trade boards, but he might end up mattering just as much. On MLB Network Radio’s “Power Alley,” former Mets GM Jim Duquette called the Tampa Bay Rays right-hander a “darkhorse” candidate this winter, a signal that rival clubs believe he’s available at the right price.
When healthy in 2025, Rasmussen stood out as one of the Rays' most impactful pitchers. He achieved a 2.76 ERA over 150 innings, limited opponents to a.209 batting average, and maintained a 1.02 WHIP. These statistics appear even more impressive when considering his underlying performance data. His fastball velocity averaged approximately 97 mph, and his arsenal of a cutter, sweeper, and sinker placed his expected metrics in the top third of the league, as reported by Baseball Savant.
FanGraphs still grades him as a middle-of-the-rotation pitcher possessing better-than-average control and exceptional rates of generating weak contact. His 2025 chase rate and xwOBA were both consistent with his 2022–23 high point, indicating his pitching capabilities fully recovered following several elbow operations.
His contract makes him even more attractive. Rasmussen is signed through 2026 on a two-year, $8.5 million deal with an 2027 option that can grow based on workload. For a mid-rotation starter with top-end stretches, that is the exact profile clubs look for when prices rise on frontline pitching.
Injury risk is a component of the assessment. Rasmussen has had three elbow operations, two of which were Tommy John surgeries, plus an internal brace procedure in 2023. He pitched just 70 major league innings between 2023 and 2024 while recovering. The Rays managed his playing time cautiously, and prospective clubs will consider both his recent physical condition and his overall career resilience.
The Rays possess depth, operate within budget constraints, and their strategy favors trading pitchers preemptively rather than delaying. For teams seeking a pitcher not quite at the elite level of Dodgers, Cubs, Orioles, Mariners,, and Yankees, Rasmussen aligns perfectly with both competitive and financial requirements.
Should Tampa Bay opt to acquire him, Rasmussen might represent one of the most cost-effective rotation enhancements available this offseason.
