Carlos Carrasco secures Yankees spot after impressive spring performance
- Carlos Carrasco signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees in February 2023.
- His strong performance during spring training earned him a major league contract and a position in the Yankees' rotation.
- His signing comes at a crucial time as the Yankees seek to address injuries in their starting pitching staff.
In early February 2023, Carlos Carrasco signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees. This decision came after a challenging previous season with the Cleveland Guardians, where he ended with a record of 3-10 and a 5.64 ERA in 21 starts. As spring training unfolded, Carrasco showcased significant improvement, achieving a remarkable 1.69 ERA over five appearances, four of which were starts. This impressive performance led the Yankees to promote him to the major league roster, signing him to a one-year, $1.5 million contract that includes performance bonuses based on starts. The Yankees are currently facing a critical shortage in starting pitching, further intensified by injuries to key players, including Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt. With their starting rotation in flux, Carrasco's successful spring performance offers the Yankees much-needed depth. Despite their $285 million payroll, the Yankees are lacking in starting pitching options, making Carrasco's inclusion vital for the upcoming season. Carrasco's career has been marked by resilience, having logged over 15 seasons with a notable tenure with the Guardians. He previously led the American League in wins in 2017, and his experience will be an asset for the Yankees. While there are uncertainties surrounding his performance given the challenges he faced last season, Carrasco's strong showing in spring training gives the Yankees confidence in his ability to contribute positively this season. As he moves forward with the Yankees, Carrasco aims to capitalize on this opportunity and prove himself as a reliable starter in an often unpredictable environment. The combination of his experience alongside the urgent need for stability in the rotation creates a compelling narrative for the upcoming season as fans anticipate his performance on the mound.