By signing an experienced starter to a minor league contract, the New York Yankees are increasing their pitching depth.

MLB Rumors: By signing an experienced starter to a minor league contract, the New York Yankees are increasing their pitching depth.

Carlos Carrasco has agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Yankees, adding a possible depth addition to their pitching staff.

Although the New York Yankees' rotation appears to be set for 2025, they have added a player who might be useful later this season.

Carlos Carrasco, a veteran, has signed a minor league contract with the organization. Through Jack Curry:

"The Yankees have offered Carlos Carrasco a minor league contract. Last season, he pitched 103 2/3 innings for Cleveland and was 3-10 with a 5.64 ERA. In March, Carrasco will turn 38," Curry posted on X.

Carrasco is undoubtedly beyond his peak and isn't really youthful anymore. Curry noted that the right-hander had a poor season with the Guardians, recording a 3-10 record with a meager 5.64 ERA in 21 starts. Surprisingly, Carrasco missed only three months after receiving a diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia in May 2019.

He has a 27-35 record and a 5.02 ERA, although he hasn't been as effective on the hill since the diagnosis. Since there isn't really any room for him in the rotation at the moment, it makes sense that the Yankees signed him to a minor league contract. The Venezuelan will undoubtedly get some innings during major league spring training, though.

In order to join Gerrit Cole at the top of the rotation, New York offered Max Fried a record-breaking contract this winter. In addition, they have Clarke Schmidt, Luis Gil, and Carlos Rodon. Marcus Stroman is still with the team, but with his awful 2024 second half, the team is attempting to move him. During the Bronx Bombers' run to the World Series, Stroman did not take the mound at all.

The likelihood that Carrasco will receive MLB innings for the Yankees increases if Stroman is traded. It's also possible that NY will attempt to deploy Carrasco out of the bullpen. 

Although he has never been a reliever in his career, it might be a more obvious route to pitching for the '25 American League champions.