Carlos Carrasco would be a headliner in most trades, but paired with Francisco Lindor, he was just the other man Cleveland shared with the Mets on Thursday.
The veteran right-hander solves a need for rotation for the Mets and joins Jacob deGrom and Marcus Stroman to give the team a solid 1-2-3 punch. David Peterson, Seth Lugo and Steven Matz are the other options available to fill that rotation. The Mets also hope that Noah Syndergaard will return from Tommy John rehab in June.
Last season, 33-year old Carrasco hit 3-4 with a 2.91 ERA for Cleveland. He has been signed for the next two seasons, with a club option for 2023.
Carrasco was diagnosed with leukemia in 2019 and missed much of the season before returning to win AL Comeback Player of the Year. He began his career with the Phillies and went to Cleveland as part of the 2009 trade that sent Cliff Lee to Philadelphia. Carrasco finished fourth in the AL Cy Young voting in 2017, finishing 18-6 with a 3.29 ERA.
“This man is a very impressive person,” said a National League team talent evaluator. “He was a top player with the Phillies and they were extremely patient with him and he came to Double-A and then he started to struggle and they were patient with him. And the Indians benefited from that. There was a lot of pressure on him, as a Phillies prospect, to live up to that No. 1 billing, and it didn’t happen for them. “
Carrasco, nicknamed “Cookie”, grew up in Venezuela. He became a US citizen in 2016.
“He’s a true professional and he’s grown up a lot and it was fun watching him from when he was an 18 year old to where he is today,” said the talent evaluator. “It’s a real success story and I think the Mets are getting a real solid guy here.”
Mets general manager Jared Porter said he is still looking for further help with the casting. The Mets have expressed interest, particularly in free agent Jake Odorizzi, and plan to attend Corey Kluber’s upcoming throwing session. But the addition of Carrasco lessens the pressure on the Mets to add another mid-rotation type option. Trevor Bauer is the best free agent starter on the market, but the odds of landing with the Mets seem less likely than when the off-season started.
Carrasco was not discussed in the first trade talks with Cleveland, which began in November, according to team chairman Sandy Alderson. But gradually, the Mets’ need for a starter improved the trading package.
In the deal, the Mets surrendered Andres Gimenez, Amed Rosario, and prospects Isaiah Greene and Josh Wolf. The main focus of the Mets in the deal was Lindor.
“He tops the list of most people at shortstop, including mine,” said the talent evaluator.