5 trade spots for Cleveland Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco.
If trading Carlos Carrasco seems insane, it is. Or at least it was in February of 2020. Even knowing Carrasco was on the line to earn $12 million, the right-hander was still a bargain for the cash strapped Cleveland Indians.
Now, with team president Chris Antonetti flaming the organization lost tens of millions of dollars, the already fiscally conservative Tribe is expected to stretch its pennies even further.
The team already gave an indication of things to come by its decision to decline Brad Hand’s $10 million option. They’ll be declining Carlos Santana’s $17.5 million option, too. It’s a forgone conclusion Francisco Lindor will be moved. That leaves Carrasco.
At 33, Carrasco got back on track in 2020. He started 12 games while posting a 2.91 ERA and a 1.9 fWAR. He’s due to make $12 million next, year, too. In 2023, his contract is worth $14 million, but it comes with a $3 million buyout.
With every team expected to show some restraint in free agency, getting a player on a short-term pact should be more attractive than trying to Brin gin a free agent on a four- or five-year pact.
With that in mind, he’s five potential trade spots for Carrasco this offseason.
1. Mets
If the Mets really lack something, it’s leadership. That would change the second Carlos Carrasco joined the rotation.
Sure, Mets fans will complain because it’s not exactly the Yankees getting Gerritt Cole, but in “Cookie,” New York would be getting a battle tested veteran still capable of being a No. 2-3 starter.
Plus, the $12 million Carrasco is to earn should be a drop in the bucket for new owner Steve Cohen. Cohen is Mets fan and he comes with pockets that never end.
Just five years ago, the entire Mets rotation looked to be on the brink of stardom, but unfortunately, injuries got in the way of the group from reaching their potential.
With Jacob deGrom as the ace, Carrasco would make for an excellent No. 2 starter. And if Thor, Noah Syndergaard gets right after missing 2020 with Tommy John surgery, the Mets would have a front three that could push for October.
Reality it happens: The new owner will want to put his mark on the club in his first year. Trade chatter involving the Mets and Francisco Lindor isn’t exactly new, either. Honestly, the Mets were the first team that came to mind when rumors started ramping up that the Tribe would probably trade Carrasco.
2. Angels
Francisco Lindor to the Angels also makes sense, but it would make even more sense for Los Angeles to build a package around the four-time All-Star, as well as Carlos Carrasco.
Yes, Lindor makes an already great lineup even scarier, but there’s really one thing keeping Mike Trout out of October: Pitching, pitching and even more pitching.
Frankly, the Angels have never pitched well with Trout on the roster. They tried to make a splash when Trout was young, adding C.J. Wilson, but that free-agent signing went bust. They went after Gerritt Cole a season ago, but came up short.
Adding Carrasco would be the afterthought in a trade that brings Lindor to the Angels, but it could ultimately be the one that really helps.
Remember when the Indians of the mid 90s signed Dennis Martinez and Orel Hershiser? These were veterans toward the end of their careers who signed modest deals. That said, they had just enough in the tank to really make an impact.
At this point, Carrasco, 33, realistically has 2-3 more really good years remaining, meaning he could be the player the Angels need to change the narrative around the rotation.
Reality it happens: Again, this makes too much sense. With so much invested in Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani and Anthony Rendon, what’s another $12 million to fulfill the team’s biggest need?
3. Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays will have one of the most intriguing offenses in baseball next season with a lineup that is loaded with the game’s former top prospects.
It could be a scary bunch to go up against, as Toronto got a little taste of winning by qualifying in 2020’s expanded postseason.
But to take the next step, Toronto could some help in its rotation. GM Ross Adkins made a move to fix that issue at the trade deadline, acquiring Taijuan Walker from the Mariners before the deadline. It was a wise move with Walker posting a 1.37 ERA for Jays in six starts.
The rotation was led by Hyun Jin Ryu, who went 5-2 with a 2.69 ERA, who signed a four-year, $80 million contract with Toronto before the 2020 season.
But outside of these two hurlers, Toronto didn’t have a starter who had a record above .500.
Carrasco’s option really only comes with a two-year commitment ($12 million per season), then the team can opt out of the final year, which would pay Carrasco $14 million for $3 million.
Adding Carrasco could be a move that helps the Baby Blue Jays take the next step, and considering the Tribe’s connection to Toronto’s front office, it’s a destination that shouldn’t be forgotten.
4. Braves
I listed the Braves as surprise contender for Francisco Lindor, but in reality, a deal for a veteran pitcher, such as Carlos Carrasco, is much more likely.
Max Fried has the No. 1 spot in the rotation locked down, as he’s coming off a 7-0 season in which he posted a 2.25 ERA with 173 strikeouts in 165.2 innings. Ian Anderson (3-2, 1.95 ERA) makes for a stellar 1-2 punch.
Mike Soroka will return, but it may take a month or two after the starter tore his achilles.
The Braves trotted out some Youngers in 2020, but there was really no telling what kind of production they were going to get from players such as Kyle Write and Bryse Wilson.
Carrasco makes a team that came within a game of the World Series even better, and as previously mentioned, the commitment required to get him would really only last two years.
The Braves could be one to watch, as the team was one of handful of clubs that was tied to Mike Clevinger in trade rumors before the 2020 deadline.
5. Nationals
Washington boasts some of the most recongiazelable names in baseball atop it’s rotation in Max Scherzer and Steph Strasburg. It’s unclear if Strasburg will be ready to start the season on time, though.
When those two are healthy, the front of the rotation is packed, especially with Patrick Corbin in the mix.
However, after that, there are question marks with Anibal Sanchez heading toward free agency and an unimpressive 11-start sample size from Austin Both.
The Nets didn’t make the postseason in 2020 even with an extended format, but the expectation is that they’ll be back in contention in 2020.
That said, the Braves were one out of way from reaching the World Series, while the Marlins earned a lot of respect in coming out of nowhere to make the postseason.
The Indians have some history with Washington, acquiring Daniel Johnson and Jefry Rodriguez for Yan Gomes before the start of the 2019 season.