3 NY Mets trade destinations for pitcher Carlos Carrasco if the team decides to sell

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The New York Mets have a few assets they could sell off at this year's trade deadline if they choose to move in that direction within the next week and a half. One of those assets is starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco, who is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this winter.

While Carrasco has been ineffective for the most part of the season, he could certainly provide some value to contending teams looking to build upon their starting pitching depth down the stretch. There are three organizations that I believe he would be a good fit for and that I also believe the Mets could make a deal with at this year's trade deadline.

1) First trade destination for NY Mets Pitcher Carlos Carrasco: Tampa Bay Rays

Let's be honest, this would be a typical Tampa Bay Rays move where they seem to buy low on a player, take him into their pitching lab, and in turn make him into a brand-new effective pitcher. The Rays and Mets recently connected on a trade this offseason for reliever Brooks Raley, so the familiarity is already there between both front offices.

The Rays have been decimated by injuries this season to their starting rotation, and a player such as Carrasco would provide them with a veteran pitcher they can rely on as well as provide some stability over the final two months of the season. I believe the Rays may be the strongest bet of the teams who are looking to land Carrasco just due to their track record and philosophy on acquiring pitchers.

I wouldn't envision the Mets getting a large haul in return for Carrasco from the Rays or any other interested organization. I believe the ceiling may be getting an A-ball prospect back for Carrasco, but for a player who has no future with the organization after this season, netting any kind of value in return is a huge plus.

2) Second trade destination for NY Mets pitcher Carlos Carrasco: Baltimore Orioles

The Tampa Bay Rays American League East rivals the Baltimore Orioles may be another suitor for Carlos Carrasco at the trade deadline, as both of these teams are currently neck and neck in the AL East standings. The Orioles are also one of the many contenders who may be looking to add another arm or two for the stretch run, and Carrasco could be the perfect candidate.

One question that has surrounded the Orioles this season is how long their starting pitching will hold up over the course of the 162-game season. So far so good, but I can imagine they are currently scouring the trade market to find some stability to add to an unproven rotation heading into the stretch run.

Carrasco could also provide the Orioles with some veteran leadership down the stretch for a young ballclub looking to make some noise in October. Carrasco could easily slide into the back end of the Orioles' rotation or provide them with a long-reliever out of the bullpen.

Either way, Carrasco to the Orioles seems like one of those fits that a young ballclub on the brink of the playoffs makes when looking to take that next step, as having somebody such as Carrasco in that young dugout would be extremely beneficial to their 26-man roster.

3) Third trade destination for NY Mets pitcher Carlos Carrasco: Cleveland Guardians

What a reunion this would be for Carrasco who would get to return to his old stomping grounds in Cleveland as the Guardians look to make a late postseason push in the American League Central. With the recent injury to Shane Bieber, adding Carrasco to provide some starting pitching depth would make sense, especially in an environment he is familiar with.

Carrasco spent the first 11 years of his Major League career in Cleveland where he was a front-line starter for many years prior to being included in the Francisco Lindor deal back in 2021. If there was ever a do-right by-the-player option in the list of trades that Carrasco could be included in, this would be at the top of the list.

The Guardians are only 2 games behind the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central standings and they could be looking to upgrade some holes on their roster at this year's deadline. Adding a player of Carrasco's caliber could provide the Guardians a boost in the clubhouse as well as add another arm over the final two months.

The Mets should have some willing buyers interested in Carrasco's services over the next several days. Each of these three options makes complete sense from a buyer's perspective if a team is not trying to break the bank, in which case they will be getting a veteran presence with a reliable arm for the next two months.

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