House That Hank Built
Fansided

Atlanta Braves rumors should include the Cleveland Indians pitchers

By Benjamin Chase

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 4: Trevor Bauer #47, Mike Aviles #4, Jason Kipnis #22, Carlos Carrasco #59, Yan Gomes #10, Corey Kluber #28 of the Cleveland Indians watch from the dugout during the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Progressive Field on October 4, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 4: Trevor Bauer #47, Mike Aviles #4, Jason Kipnis #22, Carlos Carrasco #59, Yan Gomes #10, Corey Kluber #28 of the Cleveland Indians watch from the dugout during the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Progressive Field on October 4, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Braves rumors
ST PETERSBURG, FL – SEPTEMBER 12: Carlos Carrrasco #59 of the Cleveland Indians pitches during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on September 12, 2018 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Ignoring Cookie?!

Before I mention anything else about Carlos Carrasco, the man’s nickname is Cookie, and frankly, if that alone is not enough to make you want to trade for him, we may not be able to be friends.

Okay, now to be serious. Carrasco, like Kluber, was not originally a member of the Cleveland Indians organization. He was a member of the Atlanta Braves rival Philadelphia Phillies organization before the Phillies traded Carrasco as part of the deal to acquire Cliff Lee in 2009.

He made the major leagues that season and in 2010, he put together an impressive 7-game run at the end of the season that earned him a starting role in 2011 before his elbow popped during the season, causing him to miss all of 2012 and much of 2013.

In 2014, Carrasco eased his way back into the league with 134 innings split between 14 starts and 26 relief appearances, but he had been so dominant (2.44 ERA, 29/140 BB/K) that it was hard to keep him out of the rotation in 2015.

From 2015-2018, Carrasco posted 60 victories, with a 3.40 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and averaged 180 innings and a 42/206 BB/K ratio. His numbers were solid, but the underlying numbers have shown him to be nearly elite. In fact, Carrasco has the 10th most bWAR since 2015 with 16.3, more than guys like Madison Bumgarner, Dallas Keuchel, Gerrit Cole, David Price, Cole Hamels, or Carlos Martinez.

Because he had surgery once he got to the majors, Carrasco is older than some with his level of experience, and he’ll turn 32 in spring training. That said, he is under control for $9.75 million in 2019 with a $9.5 million option for 2020.

So what could either of these pitchers cost?

Home/Braves Rumors