Mets fans have plenty of reasons to be excited about the trade that brought both Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco to Flushing. In an article by Mike Puma of The New York Post, a a former key occupant of the Mets dugout added yet another.

Former Mets’ manager and Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway, who worked with Carrasco while they were paired in Cleveland, says Carrasco was a number two starter in Cleveland only because of the presence of Corey Kluber as the number one starter.

Callaway, now pitching coach of the Angels, has very high praise for Carrasco, “He’s going to do very well there,” former Mets manager Mickey Callaway told The Post on Monday.

“This guy can pitch, and it’s three-plus pitches. His changeup is devastating — it’s one of the best changeups I have ever seen. He and King Felix [Hernandez], their pitch shape on that and the way it spins, it’s almost identical.”

Callaway recalls working with Carrasco on an adjustment to the pitcher’s arm angle that made a big difference. Callaway instructed Carrasco to get his lead arm up higher during his delivery, which allowed for more deception in his pitches. The adjustment worked nicely, resulting in Carrasco’s 51-33 record and 3.24 ERA over the period from 2014-2017. Callaway joined the Mets as manager for the 2018 season.

For his part, Carrasco took Callaway’s advice quite seriously-so much so that new Mets’ hurler has “get the lead arm up” (in Spanish) stitched on his glove.

The same issue about being a number one starter may follow Carrasco to New York, because of two-time Cy Young award winner Jacob deGrom. For the Mets, that’s an enviable situation.

The Mets’ rotation should be very deep in 2021, with Marcus Stroman, David Peterson, and the return of Noah Syndergaard at some point around the middle of the season. Steven Matz and Seth Lugo are additional rotation candidates, with their roles (starter or bullpen) to likely be resolved during spring training. The Mets have also added a strong bullpen arm in Trevor May, and may have interest in left-handed reliever Brad Hand.

The Lindor/Carrasco deal has energized Mets players and fans alike, with the calendar showing just over a month until the start of spring training. Callaway’s positive words on Carrasco only add to the eager anticipation of the beginning of the journey in Port St. Lucie.

“(Carrasco) is a No. 1 for most teams,” Callaway said. “And just an unbelievable teammate, worker and family guy.”

Spring training can’t start soon enough.