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 that could be worth up to $28 million over three seasons.

The Tampa Bay Rays have officially signed pitcher Drew Rasmussen to a contract extension. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reported that the sides were closing in on the agreement. Per Topkin on "X:" BREAKING: #Rays working to finalize a multiyear extension for RHP Drew Rasmussen,