Who can we trust more, Carlos Carrasco or Taijuan Walker?

Carlos Carrasco and Taijuan Walker had completely different seasons for the 2021 New York Mets. Walker was looking like the steal of the offseason early on, earning his way to the All-Star Game as the club’s lone representative. Meanwhile, Carrasco missed most of the season due to an injury from the preseason. When he did return in late July, he wasn’t good at all.

Walker wasn’t very good either in those days of watching Carrasco struggle. He ended up finishing the season 7-11 with a 4.47 ERA. This came from a 7-3, 2.66 ERA first half and a 0-8, 7.13 ERA second half.

Carrasco only saw action after the All-Star Break. He was just 1-5 with a 6.04 ERA in his 12 starts. Several of the early ones felt more like rehab appearances. A few others looked like batting practice.

Neither of these Mets pitchers gave the club a reason to fully trust them next year

As far as trustworthiness goes, I don’t think either did enough in year one with the Mets to receive much faith from the fans or front office. Carrasco never could figure things out with his lengthy injury as the biggest reasoning for his struggles. Walker’s second half collapse was absolutely epic, leading many to question whether he’s capable of surviving a full season as the productive pitcher he was early on.

Both should have a starting rotation spot for the Mets in 2022. Deciding which of the two is more trustworthy won’t be easy. Each has some major faults.

However, if we go back to the time when the club added each to the roster, there was excitement. The same reasons we liked them in the first place remain. The difference: we now have reason to think things won’t be so good.

Why the Mets can trust Carlos Carrasco more

A resume can say a lot about a pitcher. Between these two, Carrasco has the better one. It also goes onto a second page.

The prime seasons for Carrasco spanned from 2014-2018. During those years with the Cleveland Baseball Club, Carrasco was 68-43 with a 3.27 ERA. His best season was in 2017 when he led the league with 18 wins and earned himself a fourth-place finish in the Cy Young race.

A little slow to develop, Carrasco has a lifetime ERA of 3.86 which is good yet not great. Consistency over several seasons should have the Mets putting faith in him to be better in 2022. For a completely different reason, they shouldn’t.

Why the Mets shouldn’t trust Carlos Carrasco much in 2022

Age is going to be a factor for Carrasco at some point in his career. Is the 2022 season the time when we see his decline occur because of it? Maybe we already did last year when he was only able to make a dozen starts.

Father time is undefeated. There will come a point when Carrasco isn’t good at pitching anymore because the birthday candles on his cake are getting too many to blow out.

Next season he’ll be 35. For some pitchers, they can go much longer. In the case for others, it could be their dusk.