By Brian Joura January 8, 2021
Everyone is still giddy about the Mets acquiring Francisco Lindor yesterday. Since giddy isn’t a word used to describe the reaction fans have to most player acquisitions of the Mets, let’s not rain on the parade or call for a premature end to the celebrations. But, perhaps we can take a moment to look at the other player acquired in the deal, Carlos Carrasco. Perhaps Cleveland considered Carrasco a salary dump but he’s so much more than that and helps solve a big need for the Mets.
A Venezuelan native Carrasco was originally signed by the Phillies in 2003. John Sickels had him as the team’s top prospect heading into the 2009 season – Travis d’Arnaud was ranked third – and Baseball Prospectus had him ranked 43rd of all MLB prospects, one spot ahead of Fernando Martinez. The Phillies ended up trading Carrasco during the ‘09 season, part of the prospect haul they sent to the Indians for Cliff Lee.
Carrasco had a coup of coffee with Cleveland in 2009 and made a slightly longer appearance in the majors the following season. In 2011 he made the Opening Day roster and took a turn in the rotation until early August. He ended up getting TJ surgery and missed all of 2012. Carrasco returned in 2013 but he wasn’t particularly good. He ended up making just over half of his 15 appearances out of the pen and he also saw time in the minors that season.
But everything started to come together for Carrasco in 2014.
He started the year in the rotation but after four lousy starts, Carrasco was sent to the bullpen. In 26 games as a reliever, Carrasco notched a 2.30 ERA and a 1.023 WHIP in 43 IP. He was moved back to the rotation in mid-August and in his final 10 starts of the year, Carrasco put up a 1.30 ERA with 78 Ks in 69 IP. Despite the lousy start, and spending half the season as a reliever, Carrasco finished with a 3.2 fWAR in ‘14.
The next four years he was a mainstay of Cleveland’s rotation. Carrasco went 60-36 with a 130 ERA+ in this span.
CARRASCO IS A MAJOR UPGRADE INDEED
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