3 potential Carlos Carrasco trade destinations

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?