Earlier today, it was reported that the Yankees were “keeping tabs” on free agent 1B/DH Chris Carter. Now, it appears as if the 30-year-old slugger will don pinstripes for 2017.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Yankees and Carter have agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal, pending a physical. Carter will receive a $500,000 signing bonus and can make $100K each for 250, 300, 350, 400 and 450 PAs. The Yankees have yet to confirm that a deal is in place.
The #Yankees have agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract with Chris Carter, pending a physical.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 7, 2017
Carter hit .222/.321/.499 last year with an NL best 41 homers along with 94 RBI for the Milwaukee Brewers, but he also struck out a league leading 206 times and lead all of baseball in 2013 with 212 punch-outs. For his career, Carter has hit .218 with 150 homers and 374 RBI over parts of seven seasons with Oakland, Houston and Milwaukee. Carter was non-tendered by the Brewers last December and became a free agent.
Carter has appeared in 411 games at first base over his career, and has also played 79 games in the outfield (77 in LF, 2 RF). Greg Bird and Tyler Austin were expected to compete for the first base job this spring, but the addition of Carter makes things a little more crowded.
With Matt Holliday entrenched as the everyday DH and Brett Gardner the everyday left fielder, it seems as if there are too many players for not enough spots. The addition of Carter could mean less at-bats for either Austin, Bird or Aaron Judge, three Baby Bombers the Yankees were hoping to develop more in ’17. It could also mean the end of utility man Rob Refsnyder‘s days as a Yankee.
It should be interesting to see how the roster shapes up over the next several weeks.
