Rays-Drew Rasmussen deal offers Reds superb contract comp for injury-riddled starter

The Tampa Bay Rays came to terms with starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen on a contract extension earlier this week. Rasmussen's deal covers his final two arbitration years and tacks on a team-option for the 2027 season. The two-year, $8.5 million contract can increase to $28 million based on escalators.

Rasmussen was a former draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers and was shipped to Tampa Bay as part of the trade for shortstop Willy Adames. Rasmussen made 47 appearances from 2020-2021, and then became a regular in the Rays' rotation in 2022. That year, the right-hander went 11-7 with a 2.84 ERA in 28 starts that covered 146 innings.

Unfortunately, Rasmussen suffered an injury midway through the 2023 season and underwent an internal brace procedure. Over the past two seasons, Rasmussen has logged just 73 ⅓ innings, but has still posted an impressive 2.70 ERA with 82 punch outs in 24 appearances. Rasmussen is expected to be a big part of Tampa Bay's starting rotation during the upcoming season.

Rays-Drew Rasmussen deal offers Reds superb contract comp for Nick Lodolo

Rasmussen's new deal with the Rays gives the Cincinnati Reds the perfect blueprint if the club is interested in extending Nick Lodolo. Much like Rasmussen, when he's on the bump, Lodolo is lights out. His problem, however, has been staying off the IL. The Reds' lefty made four separate trips to the IL in 2024 after missing most of the 2023 season with an injury as well.

But a contract extension that offers Lodolo financial security while also giving the Reds' cost certainty could be beneficial for both sides. Lodolo is up for arbitration this winter and is expected to take home about $2.2 million in 2025 according to MLB Trade Rumors. Rasmussen avoided arbitration with the Rays last offseason and settled for $2.25 million.

There were whispers after the Reds signed Hunter Greene to a contract extension in 2023 that Lodolo was in line for a new deal as well. That chatter quickly faded after Lodolo missed all but seven starts that season with a leg injury.

Whether the Reds and Lodolo are still interested in a contract extension after two injury-plagued seasons is unknown, but a healthy version of the former first-round pick is arguably the best pitcher on Cincinnati's staff. Based on the contracts that so many top hurlers are receiving this offseason, the Reds would be wise to lock up their young arms before they become too expensive to retain.

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