Mets’ Hunt for a Veteran Arm Stalls as Drew Rasmussen Remains Untouchable

When interim manager Andy Green took the helm, one of his first wishes was simple: add a couple of seasoned arms to the Mets’ starting rotation. The young trio of Nolan McLean, Christian Scott and Zac Thornton is promising, but New York knows a veteran presence is the missing piece for a playoff push.

Enter the free‑agent market, where Tarik Skubal sits atop every fan’s wish list. While the Mets would love to lock him down for 2027, reality often forces teams to settle for a mid‑tier free agent or, more likely, a trade. That’s where the conversation turned to Drew Rasmussen.

The 31‑year‑old right‑hander has been a revelation for the Tampa Bay Rays over the past two seasons, helping them march all the way to the World Series. With a $20 million club option for 2027 on his contract, he looked like an attractive target for a club desperate for a reliable ace to sit alongside McLean.

But the Rays aren’t about to hand him over. As Erik Neander, the club’s President of Baseball Operations, told the press, “Every intention right now is thinking about ‘Ras’ anchoring our rotation… We want to have ‘Ras’ back.” It’s a straightforward, almost blunt, declaration that the Rays intend to keep their ace, regardless of the price.

That sentiment isn’t surprising. Tampa Bay just came off a deep postseason run, and Rasmussen’s impact was impossible to ignore. Still, the fact that the club exercised his option made it easy for fans and analysts to assume he could be a trade chip. The reality, as the Rays made clear, is that he’s not for sale.

For the Mets, that means pivoting. Their front office, led by David Stearns, has a healthy farm system and a few players on the major‑league roster that could be tossed into a deal, but the window on Rasmussen appears closed.

Now the Mets’ radar is likely scanning other possibilities: Joe Ryan, a two‑time All‑Star with a 3.79 career ERA, could be a solid, if not spectacular, replacement. Names like Logan Gilbert, George Kirby or MacKenzie Gore are also floating around, especially given Derek Falvey’s ties to the White Sox, where Ryan currently pitches.

Beyond trades, there’s always the free‑agent route. Pitchers such as Michael Soroka or Tyler Mahle could be signed at a mid‑tier level, giving the rotation depth without breaking the bank.

In short, the Mets have to adjust their strategy now that the Rays have drawn a line in the sand. As the offseason approaches and the lockout looms, the trade market will heat up, and New York will have to be both creative and realistic about who can actually help them compete next season.