Veteran right-hander Carlos Carrasco has agreed to a Minor League deal with the Yankees, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. The team has yet to confirm the signing, but multiple sources have reported the agreement.
Yankees view Carrasco as a potential contributor
As The New York Post noted, the Yankees see Carrasco as a potential contributor and are looking to develop him into a key piece for the club. If he reaches the Major Leagues, he will earn a base salary of $1.5 million, with performance incentives that could bring his total earnings to $2.5 million.
Carrasco, who turns 38 in March, returns to the American League after spending the past three seasons with the Mets. He struggled in 2024, but his experience and past success make him a worthwhile depth addition for the Yankees’ rotation. His best season came in 2017, when he tied for the Major League lead in wins and finished fourth in AL Cy Young voting. More recently, in 2022, he won 15 games for the Mets.
By bringing in Carrasco, the Yankees add another experienced arm to an already deep pitching staff. Their current rotation includes Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil, with Marcus Stroman a potential trade candidate. Beyond their projected starters, the team has depth options in Will Warren, Clayton Beeter (depending on whether he transitions to a relief role), JT Brubaker, and Allan Winans, all of whom are on the 40-man roster.
Carrasco originally made his name with Cleveland, spending the first 11 seasons of his career there before being traded to the Mets. He now gets an opportunity to prove he still has value as a reliable arm. If he can rediscover his form, he could provide quality innings as either a spot starter or long reliever. If not, the Yankees can move on with minimal financial commitment.
With Spring Training approaching, Carrasco will aim to show he has more left in the tank and earn a role in a Yankees pitching staff looking to maintain stability over a long season.
