Free-agent outfielder Colby Rasmus reportedly has agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Rasmus batted .206 with 15 HR and 54 RBI in 107 games with the Houston Astros last year. He played in the Midwest League in 2006, batting .310 with 11 HR, 50 RBI and 17 SB in 78 games with the Swing of the Quad Cities.
Rasmus has three brothers, one of whom also played in the Midwest League. Casey Rasmus was a catcher in the St. Louis Cardinals organization from 2011 to 2014, during which time he played 49 games with the 2012 Quad Cities River Bandits and 26 games with the 2013 Peoria Chiefs. He cumulatively batted .244 with 2 HR and 15 RBI in 75 MWL games, and also pitched an inning for the Chiefs. He was playing for the High-A Palm Beach Cardinals in 2014 when he decided to retire.
One of their brothers, Cory, is a relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels. He posted a 5.84 ERA with 17 strikeouts and 16 walks in 24.2 innings at the big-league level last year. The fourth Rasmus brother, Cyle, decided not to pursue professional baseball after college due to injuries.
Their father, Tony Rasmus, played in parts of three minor-league seasons in the Angels organization. He ended his playing career in the Midwest League, batting .244 in 13 games with the 1988 Quad City Angels.