With Spring Training just a couple weeks away, the final offseason dominoes are beginning to fall as veteran free agents are slowly coming off the board. The Los Angeles Dodgers recently were said to have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with former San Francisco Giants closer Sergio Romo, with the deal pending a physical.
Romo had reportedly elected to sign with the Dodgers over the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays, despite Tampa Bay submitting a stronger financial offer. Another free agent the Dodgers were linked to is former Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Chris Carter.
While there is no immediate fit with the Dodgers for Carter, it appeared they were interested in him to play some first base against left-handed pitching and potentially left field.
However, Carter has appeared to a one-year contract with the New York Yankees, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today:
The #Yankees have agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract with Chris Carter, pending a physical.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 7, 2017
Final breakdown of Chris Carter's $3.5 M guaranteed contract w #Yankees: $3 million base salary, $500,000 signing bonus, $500K incentives.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 7, 2017
Carter hit .222/.321/.499 in a career-high 160 games with the Brewers last season. He finished tied with Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado for the National League lead with 41 home runs.
A downfall with the slugger is the swing-and-miss aspect, as Carter led the NL with 206 strikeouts, finishing 13 shy of the Major-League lead. Yankee Stadium is known to be a hitter’s ballpark, which should bode well for Carter.
However, plate appearances may be difficult to come by for the 30-year-old. Greg Bird is projected to be the Yankees’ everyday third baseman, and New York signed Matt Holiday this offseason to a one-year, $13 million deal, to serve as the designated hitter.
This offseason marked the second straight year Carter was non-tendered by a club. He signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Brewers in January 2016.
