NEW YORK — Welcome back, Carter.
The Yankees and all-or-nothing Chris Carter — a factory that produces only home runs and strikeouts — are near a deal, a source told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday.
The source, who has knowledge of the team’s personnel decisions, requested anonymity because the agreement hadn’t been finalized.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale first reported the move. Nightengale said it could be worth $3 million for a year.
The deal between the sides is fascinating because of Davis’ abilities and the Yankees’ roster construction and dueling goals of trying to compete in 2017 while also building for the future.
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Here’s what it means:
Depth at first base (or a platoon?): Carter led the league in home runs (41) and stirkeouts (206) last season. While he’s not a good defender, he’s played 270 games at first base over the last two seasons in Houston and Milwaukee. If first baseman-of-the-future Greg Bird isn’t ready for regular playing time or needs to head to Triple-A after spring training, the Yankees could turn to Carter. Bird impressed with 11 homers in 46 games in 2015, but missed all of 2016 after surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. By the way, Carter hits righty. Bird hits lefty. The Yankees could be considering platooning the two.
And at DH: Carter was a full-time DH in 2014 when he hit 37 homers for the Astros. The Yankees expect Matt Holliday to be the full-time guy at the position, but he’s 38 years old. Carter, 30, could give him days off.
But what about the youth? It looked like the Yankees were set to stage a slanted competition at first base in spring training between Bird, the heavy favorite, and Tyler Austin. Either the Yankees want to push Bird even harder at spring training or they aren’t sure he’ll have all the rust knocked off come Opening Day. Important to note: The deal isn’t official yet and it’s unclear exactly how the Yankees plan to use Carter. But adding Carter definitely looks like a bad sign for Austin, who has said he wants to win the spot outright. If he doesn’t, he’ll head back to Triple-A.
And what about defensive flexibility?: Carter doesn’t provide much of that. Actually, he provides none of it. Holliday doesn’t give much, either, though he’s talked about playing some first base in the spring. That’s two players locking up spots who don’t contribute much with the glove. That Yankees had been steering clear of those players.
Too good to pass up? While $3 million isn’t chump change, Carter did lead the NL in homers last year. That could end up a bargain for the Yankees, who have been shopping in the clearance aisle all winter.
Will Yankees be contenders in 2017? Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.
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