The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Carrasco signs new deal with Tribe
Last year of deal is a club option; extra years worth $37.25 million
Carlos Carrasco, barring a trade, signed a new contract Dec. 6 that gives the 31-yearold right-handed pitcher the chance to finish his career with the Indians.
The deal keeps Carrasco in Indians control through 2022 with a club option for 2023. The extension, which kicks in 2021, is worth $37.25 million.
“What this does is provide us additional continuity in the rotation beyond 2020,” Indians president Chris Antonetti said on a conference call. “Carlos was previously under contract for two seasons. We effectively left this year alone, exercised the option in 2020 and then added new years beyond that. This move is indicative of a continued investment by ownership and our team and the desire to continue to remain a very competitive team as we look forward.”
Carrasco will make $9.75 million in 2019 and $9.5 million in 2020.
It is unclear how signing Carrasco effects the bigger story looming around the Indians – whether Antonetti will trade a starting pitcher to repair holes in the outfield and bullpen. Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer could be traded during the baseball winter meetings next week.
The extension might make Carrasco attractive to some teams, though Antonetti made it seem Carrasco is in the Tribe’s long-range plans.
“We’re focused on two
goals,” Antonetti said. “We want to make sure we have a team capable of winning the American League Central in 2019 and also bettering our team for success beyond that. There are a variety of different ways that can happen with a variety of different impact on our payroll.
“What those opportunities
will be for us over the next coming weeks to execute on those goals, I don’t know for certain, but we’ll actively explore them.”
Carrasco was 17-10 with a 3.38 ERA in 2018. He struck out 231 batters in 192 innings.
“We are extremely happy to do this and extend Carolos’
term with us,” Antonetti said. “Over the course of the past few seasons, Carlos has established himself as one of the best pitchers in the American League and in fact all of baseball.”
Carrasco was 18-6 in 2017 with a 3.29 ERA and 231 strikeouts in 200 innings. He has a career record of 79-62 with a 3.71 ERA.