Team Source: Recently Signed Carrasco Could Join Rotation

According to a team source who spoke to Andy Martino of the Daily News, recently acquired D.J. Carrasco could possibly fill one of the spots on the 2011 rotation.

In an offseason dedicated to finding creative solutions to their dearth of pitching, the Mets might already have signed free-agent rotation help: D.J. Carrasco, who the Mets have not ruled out as a back-end starter, according to one team official.

“There are no definites,” with regard to Carrasco’s role, the official said, noting that the lack of depth and experience in the rotation – currently comprised of Mike Pelfrey, R.A. Dickey, Jonathon Niese and perhaps Dillon Gee – forces the Mets to remain open to all possibilities.

The Mets signed Carrasco earlier this month to a two-year, $2.5 million dollar contract and it was believed he’d be used exclusively as a reliever, but given his light rotation experience and the Mets lack of options in the rotation, it could very well happen.

Carrasco, 33, started 20 games for Kansas City in 2005, going 6-8 with a 4.79 ERA.

The Mets have shown some interest in free agent pitchers Young and Francis, but Jon Heyman and others reported that they may have been scared off by their $4-5 million dollar prices tags.