3 potential Carlos Carrasco trade destinations

FanSided’s Robert Murray took a look at where the New York Mets could possibly trade Carlos Carrasco. This was a thought first put out there by Joel Sherman last week in anticipation of the team acquiring Kodai Senga then looking to flip the $14 million pitcher, Carrasco, somewhere else.

In Murray’s report for FanSided, he lists two teams that could make sense to target Carrasco. I’m going to take a stab at a third. We’re looking for ball clubs with a relief pitcher or prospects to spare. They also have to be in win now mode given the single season remaining on Carrasco’s contract.

Where could the Mets trade him?

1) NY Mets trade destination for Carlos Carrasco: Los Angeles Angels

Murray names the Los Angeles Angels as a landing spot for Carrasco. Billy Eppler’s former employer is a fit because of their continued search for some starting pitching.

The Angels flipped the expectations of many this offseason by becoming buyers rather than sellers. They’re holding onto Shohei Ohtani, or so it seems. They’ve brought in some other pieces along the way including pitcher Tyler Anderson.

From the Angels, the Mets could be a match for Aaron Loup. The stud reliever from the 2021 team is on an unfavorable deal with the Angels when looking at his 2022 output. There are definitely a few other arms that could be a match for the Mets.

The Mets should only be in the market of trading Carrasco if it means adding something to the now or very near-future. Unloading him for the purpose of saving money is inconceivable. The Mets payroll is already outrageous. Saving on Carrasco’s contract shouldn’t be the reason to move him.

3) NY Mets trade destination for Carlos Carrasco: Toronto Blue Jays

Only one other club fits into the model presented by Murray and any logic we already have in terms of who could want Carrasco. It’s the Toronto Blue Jays. They’ve lost Ross Stripling in free agency which pushes Yusei Kikuchi and Mitch White into the rotation. Unafraid to spend money, his $14 million won’t put too big of a bite into dent into their hopes and dreams.

The Blue Jays have several experienced arms in their bullpen already. Adam Cimber and Zach Pop, each of whom were acquired in separate trades with the Miami Marlins, appear to be the right mix of “maybe available” and quality.

One thing none of these teams really have is the bad we’d like to see the Mets acquire to upgrade the Darin Ruf role on the team. A right-handed hitting outfielder who can crush lefties would be ideal for this. Because it is only Carrasco they’re trading, a mid-level prospect or bullpen arm really is the most plausible return.

Trading Carrasco opens the Mets up to possibly going with David Peterson or Tylor Megill in the fifth starter spot or continuing to search in free agency. Many Mets fans seem to prefer the idea, at the moment, of sticking with Carrasco. Even if he does start the year with New York, we could expect the Mets to maybe do something like they did with Jason Vargas in 2019. They dumped him on the Philadelphia Phillies around the same time they added Marcus Stroman.

Carrasco showed last year how he can still contribute. Will Eppler find the right trade?