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Pros and Cons: Should the Mets trade for Drew Rasmussen?
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- Pros and Cons: Should the Mets trade for Drew Rasmussen?
We've talked here and here and here (and elsewhere) about the Mets ' need to seriously address a starting rotation that was the main reason their 2025 and 2026 seasons went off the rails.
Specifically, New York left its rotation too short depth-wise both years, and also relied on too many expected bounce backs and what-ifs. They can't do that again in 2027, which means their offseason goal should be adding two legitimate starting pitchers to the rotation -- including one who profiles at the very top.
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With free agency open and a relative frenzy likely between now and the start of the expected lockout on Dec. 1, the easiest way for the Mets to address their biggest need is to turn to the free agent market.
Available there is Tarik Skubal, arguably the best pitcher in baseball. And since Skubal was traded during the season from the Tigers to the Dodgers, he won't be attached to the qualifying offer and the associated damaging penalties that would've come along with it for any team that signed him. All he'll cost is money -- lots of money.
Beyond Skubal are other strong free agent options, including Michael Kingand Clay Holmes, who should both do well in terms of average annual value but whose deals won't be in the same stratosphere as Skubal's.
As far as the trade market, there are a handful of very intriguing options who could be available.
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The Mariners, rich with quality starters, could possibly dangle George Kirbyand/or Logan Gilbert, who are both nearing free agency.
The Twins could listen on Joe Ryan, who is set to hit free agency after 2027.
Meanwhile, the Rays recently picked up the $20 million option for next season on ace right-hander Drew Rasmussen, who is one year away from free agency.
Tampa's head of baseball operations Erik Neander said on Tuesday that the team has "every intention" of keeping Rasmussen, but did not rule out a trade this offseason. And with that slightly open door will come speculation that the Rays could deal Rasmussen -- a tactic they've used many times when it comes to expensive players on the cusp of free agency (including recently with Tyler Glasnowand Brandon Lowe).
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With all that to consider, should the Mets strongly pursue a trade for Rasmussen? Here are the pros and cons...
/ IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
PROS
Rasmussen has been a dominant force since his first real taste of the majors in 2021.
This past season for the Rays, he had a 2.67 ERA and a AL-best 0.91 WHIP. In 172 innings, Rasmussen allowed just 125 hits while striking out 174 batters and walking only 1.7 per nine. That followed up a 2025 campaign where he posted a 2.67 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 150 innings.
The right-hander was also nails during Tampa's run to the World Series, allowing just seven runs in five starts across 28.2 innings.
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Rasmussen features mainly a four-pitch mix, utilizing a cutter, four-seamer, sinker, and changeup. In 2026, Rasmussen's pitching run value graded out in the 99th percentile. That included a fastball that was in the 99th percentile and an off-speed run value in the 93rd percentile. Hitters struggled to do much of anything against Rasmussen's main arsenal in 2026, slugging .360 or lower against his four most-used offerings.
Meanwhile, a look at Rasmussen's advanced metrics via Baseball Savant reveal a pitcher who was above average to elite in most areas, including hard hit percentage, barrel percentage, chase percentage, xERA, and groundball rate.
After missing most of the 2023 and 2024 seasons due to elbow surgery (more on that below), Rasmussen has made 30+ starts each of the last two seasons while featuring average fastball velocities that have sat right around where they were earlier in his career.
For the Mets, Rasmussen would be a true ace who can top their young, promising rotation that will also include Nolan McLeanand Christian Scott.
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While it would take a serious package to pry him away from the Rays, the cost the Mets would have to pay should be blunted by the $20 million Rasmussen is owed in 2027 and the fact that he's a one-year rental.
Additionally, the Mets trading for Rasmussen would theoretically not preclude them from signing a big starter -- whether it's Skubal, Holmes, or King.
Oct 3, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen (57) reacts in the sixth inning in game one of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs against the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field. / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
CONS
The health concern when it comes to Rasmussen is real.
While he has been durable over the last two seasons, another major elbow injury could be ruinous. That's because the righty has already had two Tommy John surgeries (in 2016 and 2017) and underwent an internal brace procedure in July of 2023.
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However, the Mets' risk would be low since Rasmussen is only under team control for one season. And they can further mitigate that risk by not only acquiring Rasmussen but by signing another high upside starting pitcher.
There is also the matter of cost.
New York's farm system looks a lot different today than it did a year ago , due in large part to graduations of a handful of the players at the very top and an influx of new talent during their recent trade deadline selloff.
The top 10 of SNY's updated top 30 Mets prospects list is comprised mostly of position players, and it's fair to believe that Tampa would be looking for young, controllable pitching in a world where they made Rasmussen available.
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If Rasmussen hits the market and the Mets are interested, it's possible someone like left-hander Jonathan Santuccicould intrigue the Rays. Jonah Tong, who had a breakout season in the minors in 2025 and showed promise in the majors late in 2026, might also pique their interest. But would the Mets be open to trading so many years of control of someone like Santucci or Tong in a deal for a one-year rental?
They did something like that last offseason, when right-hander Brandon Sproatand infielder Jett Williamswere traded to the Brewers for pending free agent Freddy Peralta. Could a repeat be in the cards, or is it smarter to simply fill the rotation via free agency only?
VERDICT
Go for it.
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If the Rays make Rasmussen available, he would very likely be the best starting pitcher on the trade market. And the Mets should be greedy when it comes to bolstering a rotation that has been their undoing two seasons in a row.
Pairing Rasmussen with Skubal would be seismic. But even if the Mets aren't the top bidder for Skubal, they could still transform their rotation by trading for Rasmussen and signing someone like King or Holmes.
