Right-hander Drew Rasmussen and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided salary arbitration, agreeing to an $8.5 million, two-year contract that could be worth up to $28 million over three seasons.

The pitcher says the confidence the team showed in him by offering a multi-year contract was immensely impactful.

Right-hander Drew Rasmussen and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided salary arbitration, agreeing to an $8.5 million, two-year contract