Mets right-hander Carlos Carrasco has passed through waivers unclaimed, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. He was freely available to any club willing to take on his contract but will remain with the Mets, unless the team opts to outright him to a minor league affiliate (which he could reject in favor of free agency).
Acquired from Cleveland in the Francisco Lindor blockbuster, Carrasco was a quality member of the Mets’ pitching staff in 2022, tossing 152 innings of 3.97 ERA ball with a slightly better-than-average 23.6% strikeout rate against a sharp 6.4% walk rate. As has been the case with so many Mets in 2023, however, he’s seen his performance take a nosedive. The 36-year-old righty has been rocked for a 6.80 earned run average in 90 frames this year, posting the worst full-season marks of his career in strikeout rate (15.8%), walk rate (9.1%) and average fastball velocity (92.9 mph).
In addition to those struggles on the mound, Carrasco has battled injury troubles this season. The right-hander was on the injured list from April 16 through May 19 due to inflammation in his right elbow. He’s earning $14MM this year under the final season of his current contract, with about $2.333MM of that sum yet to be paid out.
Between the struggles on the mound, the early-season elbow trouble and the money remaining on his contract, Carrasco always looked like a good bet to clear waivers. He’ll likely finish out the season on the Mets’ staff and then hit free agency this winter, where he’ll be a candidate for a rebound pact on the open market — be it a one-year deal or a non-guaranteed pact.
What a surprise
Doh
He’s a great story. A cancer survivor. Really feel good story but he doesn’t have anything left to give to anyone anymore. He’s a class act but mets fan bashing him for just not having anything left on his tank are very unclassy and embarrasing. Just like the trading alonso crowd.
Don’t make us all look bad
He still has a great k rate, he just has to pitch better.
Yes. Pitching better is a good thing
He is a class act and family man off the field too. Seen his off field charity work.
I was underwhelmed in 2022, despite what his numbers were, and I didn’t really want him back this year. Of course, this is all in terms of performance on the field. As a human being, I’ll cheer on his humanitarian efforts and victory over cancer. Sometimes, that line blurs for some folks.
Agreed , respect for cookie . Had a good career , can’t bash him cause he’s old and doesn’t have anything left . Just isn’t fair. I wish him the best of luck !
not surprised
Not surprising considering the money still due. He had a good career might as well let him finish the season then buy him out
Shocked
Good lord,the Mets are stuck with Cookie! Yeah, I know…that’s the way the Cookie crumbles!
Yeah we are “stuck”with him , I agree with you , but I don’t think he should be bashed. For being old and not having it anymore. Decent career , wish him well !