Carlos Carrasco – New York Mets Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Carlos Carrasco was born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela in 1987. Over the years, he’s built a pretty remarkable career in Major League Baseball. The veteran pitcher recently landed with the New York Yankees, starting on a minor league deal in early 2025 and eventually earning a major league contract with the club.

At 38, Carrasco brings valuable experience to the Yankees’ pitching staff. He’s still showing plenty of resilience on the mound, which is honestly impressive at this point in his career.

After making $14 million a year in his previous contract, Carrasco now pulls in $2 million annually with the Yankees, bringing his career earnings just shy of $75 million. Back in 2015, he signed a four-year extension worth $22 million, including club options for 2019 and 2020. That steady financial climb really says a lot about his value and staying power in MLB.

Carrasco’s career really shows what persistence and adaptation look like. He’s shifted from being a highly-paid veteran to a solid role player for the Yankees. His current weekly earnings of $38,461.54 might be lower than his peak, but he’s still earning respect—and a decent paycheck—late in his baseball journey.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Carlos Carrasco’s path to becoming an MLB pitcher started in Venezuela. His early love for baseball shaped everything that came after.

Childhood and Background

Carlos Luis Carrasco was born on March 21, 1987, in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Baseball runs deep in Venezuelan culture, and Carrasco felt that pull from a young age.

His parents saw his athletic gifts and encouraged him to chase baseball. He spent endless hours in local leagues, where he quickly became one of the standout kids.

Venezuela has sent plenty of stars to MLB, and Carrasco grew up watching these national heroes. That influence stuck with him.

He picked up the nickname “Cookie” as a kid, and it’s followed him ever since.

Development as a Pitcher

Carrasco’s pitching really took off during his teenage years. Coaches and scouts noticed his arm strength and his ability to throw hard.

Unlike a lot of young pitchers who just try to overpower hitters, Carrasco showed early on that he could control his pitches. Local coaches worked with him on his delivery and helped him develop command of the strike zone.

They also pushed him to add secondary pitches. By 16, Carrasco was already showing off the skills that would define his career.

He added a changeup to his arsenal, which later became one of his best weapons. Venezuelan baseball academies gave him the structure and training he needed to turn raw talent into real skill.

Path to Professional Baseball

Carrasco’s performances in Venezuelan youth leagues didn’t go unnoticed. At just 16, he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies organization as an international free agent in 2003. The signing bonus he got reflected how much promise scouts saw in him.

That jump from amateur ball in Venezuela to pro baseball in the U.S. wasn’t easy. Carrasco had to figure out a new country, a new language, and a much tougher level of competition—all while still growing up.

In the Phillies’ minor league system, Carrasco quickly made a name for himself as a top prospect. His work ethic and natural ability helped him move up the ranks.

Baseball America ranked him among the Phillies’ top prospects for several years. That stretch of development set him up for his MLB debut in 2009, when he was just 22.

Professional Career Milestones

Carlos Carrasco’s MLB journey has taken him through plenty of ups and downs. He’s shown a real knack for perseverance and growth, turning himself from a raw talent into a key part of Cleveland’s rotation during their best years.

Major League Debut and Rise with the Indians

Carrasco made his MLB debut on September 1, 2009, after Cleveland picked him up in the Cliff Lee trade with Philadelphia. His first few years were rough. He struggled with consistency and had to get Tommy John surgery in 2011, which wiped out his entire 2012 season.

The road back wasn’t easy for “Cookie,” as his teammates called him. By 2013, he bounced between the rotation and bullpen, still trying to find his place.

In 2014, things finally clicked when he moved back into the rotation full-time. Working alongside Corey Kluber, Carrasco started to harness his powerful four-pitch mix.

Breakthrough Seasons and Cy Young Contention

Carrasco really broke through in 2015, finishing with a 14-12 record and a 3.63 ERA over 30 starts. He struck out 216 batters in 183.2 innings, which was a pretty big jump and showed the kind of dominance he was capable of.

His 2017 season was probably his best. He finished fourth in Cy Young voting after going 18-6 with a 3.29 ERA. That year, he struck out 226 and walked only 46—talk about control.

During his prime, Carrasco helped form one of the toughest rotations in baseball with Kluber, Trevor Bauer, and some younger arms. He was a ground ball machine and racked up strikeouts, making him really valuable to Cleveland’s playoff pushes.

Role within the Cleveland Pitching Staff

Carrasco became a cornerstone of Cleveland’s rotation during their most competitive stretch. As the #2 starter behind Kluber, he brought stability and high-level performance.

He worked with a strong defensive infield led by Francisco Lindor and José Ramírez. His durability was a big deal—he took the ball every fifth day and usually delivered quality innings.

Between 2015 and 2018, Carrasco averaged 183 innings per season and kept his ERA around 3.40. Manager Terry Francona could always count on him.

He didn’t just help with his pitching. Carrasco mentored younger pitchers and set a high standard with his work ethic. His influence helped Cleveland build a respected pitching culture.

New York Mets Era and Recent Seasons

Carrasco’s career took a new turn when he joined the New York Mets. He brought his veteran presence to a rotation that already had some big names.

The Trade to the Mets

Carrasco arrived in New York in January 2021 as part of the blockbuster deal that also brought Francisco Lindor to the Mets. The team picked up Carrasco’s $14 million option for 2023, showing faith in the veteran righty.

Fans were excited to see him join a rotation with Jacob deGrom and, eventually, Max Scherzer. But things didn’t go as planned. Carrasco missed the first half of 2021 with a hamstring tear, so his Mets debut didn’t come until July.

When he finally got on the mound, he struggled to find his rhythm. The Mets rotation was already dealing with injuries, which didn’t help.

Performance at Citi Field

Carrasco had some flashes of his old Cleveland form at Citi Field, but consistency was an issue. In 2022, he bounced back a bit, making 29 starts and putting up decent numbers as a mid-rotation guy.

He worked well with catchers James McCann and Tomás Nido, and he adjusted his pitch selection to the big outfield at Citi Field. But 2023 was rough. His effectiveness dropped, and the Mets put him on waivers in August.

He had to lean more on his breaking pitches, since his velocity wasn’t what it used to be. During his time there, the Mets rotation also featured Taijuan Walker, Chris Bassitt, and the high-profile Max Scherzer.

Teammates and Bullpen Collaborations

Carrasco often handed games off to a bullpen anchored by Edwin Díaz, who’s got some of the best stuff in the game. Sometimes the bullpen’s inconsistency hurt his win-loss record, but that’s baseball.

In the clubhouse, Carrasco was a mentor to younger pitchers. His experience was valuable, especially alongside guys like Scherzer and, before him, deGrom.

Outfielder Brandon Nimmo, known for getting on base, gave Carrasco solid defensive support. Carrasco also worked with relievers like Mychal Givens as part of the Mets’ pitching plan.

After the Mets, Carrasco signed a minor league deal with the Yankees that would pay him $1.5 million if he made it to the majors.

Contracts, Free Agency, and Net Worth

Carlos Carrasco has seen his MLB earnings swing up and down, thanks to big contracts and some strategic free agency moves. His paychecks have changed with his performance, team needs, and the market.

Major Contracts and Extensions

His biggest deal came with the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians), when he signed a 4-year, $22 million extension in April 2015. That contract included two club options, possibly taking him through 2020.

In December 2018, Cleveland extended him again with a 4-year, $47 million deal running through 2022. That showed the team still believed in him as a frontline starter, even with some health concerns.

When Cleveland traded Carrasco to the Mets as part of the Lindor deal in January 2021, his contract went with him. The Mets later declined his 2023 option and chose a $3 million buyout instead of paying the full amount.

Free Agency Decisions

After the 2022 season, Carrasco hit free agency for the first time when the Mets declined his option. He signed a two-year deal to return to the Mets, but at a lower rate.

When performance issues piled up, Carrasco entered free agency again. He signed with the Yankees on a minor league contract in early 2024.

This deal was a big drop from his previous guaranteed contracts, but it gave him a shot to rebuild his value. The Yankees offered him a chance to earn a spot in spring training.

Net Worth and Salary Overview

Carrasco’s 2025 salary is $2 million with the Yankees. During his best years, he made an average of $14 million per season.

His current Yankees contract is worth $1.5 million for one year, which is a lot less than before. That’s just how the market goes for aging pitchers.

All told, Carrasco’s career earnings are estimated at over $75 million, spread across his time with Cleveland, the Mets, and now the Yankees. Even though his current salary is modest by MLB standards, those earlier contracts have built up a pretty solid net worth for him.

Financial Impact on Team Payrolls

Carrasco’s contracts have shaped team payrolls in different ways over the years. In Cleveland, he signed a team-friendly extension that gave the club a ton of value for what they paid—honestly, he was a payroll asset.

When he landed with the Mets under Steve Cohen, his contract became a bigger investment, especially since it came as part of the Lindor megadeal. The Mets took on his salary without blinking, which really showed how much Cohen wanted to build a winner, no matter the price tag.

The Yankees barely feel Carrasco’s $1.5 million on their massive payroll. It’s such a low-risk deal, and it fits perfectly with their approach: surround expensive stars with reliable veterans who won’t break the bank.

Teams who worry about the luxury tax have seen Carrasco’s value shift over time. He went from being a bargain in his prime to more of a payroll headache as his performance slipped.

Statistical Highlights and Legacy

Carlos Carrasco has put together a strong statistical resume, showing both consistency and resilience. He hasn’t just piled up numbers—he’s come through in big moments and made an impact off the field too.

Career ERA and Strikeouts

Carrasco owns a solid career earned run average (ERA) that proves he can get the job done on the mound. During his best stretch with Cleveland from 2014 to 2018, he kept his ERA under 4.00 every year. In 2017, he hit a career peak with a 3.29 ERA over 200 innings.

He racks up strikeouts, plain and simple. Carrasco has topped 200 strikeouts more than once, showing he can blow hitters away. His career strikeout rate sits around 9 per nine innings, which puts him among the better swing-and-miss arms of his era.

What’s even more impressive? He did most of this in the American League, where pitchers have to face designated hitters instead of easy outs at the bottom of the lineup.

Memorable Playoff Performances

Carrasco’s playoff outings, while not frequent, have shown he can handle pressure. His biggest postseason moment came during Cleveland’s 2016 World Series run, when he ate up important innings right after coming back from injury.

In the 2017 ALDS against the Yankees, Carrasco really stepped up. He threw 5.2 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts in Game 3. Cleveland lost the series, but his calm on the mound in Yankee Stadium said a lot about his ability to handle the spotlight.

His playoff ERA sits at 3.60 over 15 innings. He kept his command, walking only five batters in his postseason career.

Awards and Recognition

Carrasco never snagged a Cy Young Award, but he did finish fourth in the voting in 2017, which says plenty about how good he was that year.

His most meaningful honor? The Roberto Clemente Award in 2019, which he earned for his humanitarian work while fighting leukemia.

In 2020, he picked up the Comeback Player of the Year Award after beating cancer and pitching well again. That kind of comeback shows real grit.

Other players respect him, no question. In player polls, Carrasco shows up again and again as one of the most admired pitchers, both for what he does on the field and the presence he brings to the clubhouse.

Impact Beyond the Mound

Carrasco’s legacy reaches far past his pitching stats. After doctors diagnosed him with leukemia in 2019, he inspired a lot of people by getting back on the mound just a few months after starting treatment.

Fans started calling him “Cookie Monster”—which eventually just became “Cookie.” The nickname stuck, probably because he kept his sweet personality even while facing some pretty tough stuff.

He’s done a ton of charitable work, especially back home in Venezuela and in Cleveland. Carrasco has given more than $300,000 to childhood cancer research.

He also makes time to visit hospitals and encourage young patients. That’s not something every athlete does, honestly.

His net worth of approximately $75 million comes not just from baseball, but from smart investments and endorsement deals.

Carrasco uses his platform to start foundations that fight food insecurity and help with educational access. That’s a big deal, especially for the communities he cares about.

Team general managers often talk about Carrasco’s leadership in the clubhouse. He’s mentored younger pitchers all through his career, and people seem to really notice that.