The Cleveland Indians are looking to trade a starting pitcher, but it seems like Carlos Carrasco may not be the one dealt.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports that the Indians and Carrasco are in talks about a contract extension. Carrasco is under team control for $20 million through 2020 thanks to a club option.
#Indians in discussions with RHP Carlos Carrasco about an extension, sources tell The Athletic. Carrasco signed for 2019 at $9.75M with $10.25M club option for ‘20. Previously accepted below-market, four-year, $22M deal with two club options after heart scare in April 2015.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 30, 2018
Rosenthal says the Indians told Carrasco they would not trade him if he accepted an extension. That leaves Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer as the likely trade candidates. Bauer has one more year of service time than Kluber, meaning he could be more likely to be dealt.
#Indians would not trade Carrasco this off-season if he agreed to extension, sources say. If CLE moves a starter, as it has indicated it will, choice will come down to Kluber (3 years control) or Bauer (2). Bauer has said he will not sign extension, preferring to go year-to-year.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 30, 2018
The Dodgers are among the teams that have engaged the Indians in trade talks. Perhaps something like Trevor Bauer for Yasiel Puig could be in the cards.
Carrasco turns 32 before next season. He was 17-10 with a 3.38 ERA in 192 innings in 2018. Carrasco has posted five straight winning seasons with an ERA no higher than 3.63.
