Since last weekend, everybody has known that Carlos Carrasco is returning to the Cleveland Guardians.
However, the team hadn’t officially announced the transaction or its terms.
Now, on Thursday, they finally went to social media to announce the acquisition of a pitcher that had been with the team for over a decade before leaving in 2021.
“Queue up the Bryan Adams because he’s back! We have signed RHP Carlos Carrasco to a Minor League contract with an invite to Major League camp. Welcome back, Cookie!” the Guardians tweeted.
Queue up the Bryan Adams because he's back!
We have signed RHP Carlos Carrasco to a Minor League contract with an invite to Major League camp.
Welcome back, Cookie!#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/C47w8uF0Lg
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) February 1, 2024
Carrasco is one of the most influential pitchers of the 2010s for the Guardians.
At his peak, he could pitch 200 innings of a solid ERA in the 3.00s with a boatload of strikeouts.
He was durable and consistent.
But injuries and decline caught up to him, especially since leaving in 2021 to join the New York Mets as part of the Francisco Lindor trade.
Cleveland will be enjoying his services on a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
It means he will get the chance to win a spot on the big league staff.
If he doesn’t, the future is uncertain and could include alternatives from staying with the Guardians’ Triple-A affiliate to leaving for another organization.
If he does make the team, however, it will likely mean he is healthy and close to his usual form; and that is a very solid depth piece to have around.
His 2023 was rough: he had a 6.80 ERA, a 1.70 WHIP, and a 66/38 K/BB ratio over 90 innings (20 starts) with the Mets.
He has more than enough talent and experience to overcome those horrible numbers and return to being a serviceable major-league starter, as long as he remains in one piece.
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