Hello Schmidt & Bye Bye Carrasco!

Well, Carlos Carrasco had his chance, but he may have just pitched his way out of a job. Spring Training he looked better than he does right now, which earned him a big league contract and a new opportunity. It hasn’t taken long for the Spring Carlos to fall back down to Earth.

The Yankees took a flyer on Carrasco. Let’s face it we were desperate and it looked like he MIGHT have still had some of his former magic left in the tank. After two appearances of 11.2 innings, 16 hits, 4 home runs and three walks he has an abysmal 7.71 ERA. He’s not fooling anyone in the batters box. He’s not blowing anything past hitters or deceiving them with movement on his pitches. He’s just throwing batting practice.

His blunders come at a dangerous time as Clarke Schmidt is ramping up and almost ready for Major League action, read more HERE. A rehab stint is coming at Double-A and he is predicted to be ready to go by the series against Kansas City April 15th or 16th. That’s good news for Schmidt (and us) and bad news for Carrasco, since that lines up with his next potential start. When Schmidt is back the Yankees have every reason, they need to reconsider Carrasco’s role on this team….if he gets one at all.

The “if” he gets one isn’t so farfetched, either. The old saying goes “you can never have enough pitching” but is Carrasco a safer bet as a starter than say younger blossoming talent like Will Warren? Both Warren and Carrasco had outside shots to make the team in Spring, but there’s a difference. Carrasco is past him prime and looks like he doesn’t have anything left in the tank, while Warren is also not perfect, but he is younger and has had moments to justify he’s ready for the big leagues. Carrasco isn’t showing he has enough to keep him on the big-league stage….at least not here.

I will be the first to admit Warren isn’t perfect. He is a work in progress. He looked good against the Diamondbacks but rough against the Pirates. He’s young, hungry and he has a lot of upsides to him. He just needs more time to be developed. He has potential and that is something the Yankees should prioritize unless they pull of an entirely different move bringing another pitcher in by trade (not likely right now).

The Yankees are in a pickle. They are going to need to make a decision. Do they go with the veteran starter who has experience but will be a risk to try and squeeze five innings out of? Or do they go with the younger guy who has more upside now and can give the team long term value? I think it’s an easy choice.

The Yankees are going to have to make the tough decision. Do they demote Carrasco or just DFA him all together? Either way something has to change. Schmidt coming back means the Yankees have better options coming….and this Carrasco is not going to help a team with World Series aspirations.