While the Toronto Blue Jays have yet to make a big splash on the trade front, general manager Alex Anthopoulos has been staying busy.
The Blue Jays made a “big push” for Cleveland Indians right-hander Carlos Carrasco, but did not end up completing a deal, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported Friday.
Carrasco is 10-7 with a 3.94 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP with 128 strikeouts in 114.1 innings of work spanning 19 starts. Clayton Kershaw’s the only starting pitcher in baseball with a better xFIP than Carrasco’s 2.51 mark over the course of the last calendar year.
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Carrasco’s contract is an attractive one for teams seeking controllable pitching. The 28-year-old is signed through the 2018 season; he’s set to earn $4.5 million in 2016, $6.5 million in 2017, and $8 million in 2018. The contract also includes two club options for 2019 and 2020 at $9 million and $9.5 million, respectively (all figures via Cot’s Baseball Contracts).
The Blue Jays have been linked to numerous starting pitchers, including Jeff Samardzija, Johnny Cueto, David Price, Mat Latos and Mike Leake. Anthopoulos has made clear his intention to upgrade Toronto’s starting rotation via the trade market.
The Houston Astros kicked off the summer trade activity Thursday, acquiring left-hander Scott Kazmir from the Oakland Athletics.
Teams have until July 31 to make trades without passing players through waivers.
