Veteran first baseman Chris Carter hit the free agent market when the Yankees released him this past Monday, but it won’t be a long stay on the unemployment line. Carter is “likely” to sign with either the Athletics or Rangers, reports Jon Heyman of FanRag. It’s unclear whether Carter would net a major league contract or a minor league accord.
Although he belted a National League-high 41 home runs last year with Milwaukee, the Brewers cut ties with Carter over the winter in lieu of paying him a high salary in arbitration. Thanks to the flaws in his game, including difficulty making contact and an inability to contribute much defensively or on the base paths, Carter sat on the open market until February, when he landed with the Yankees for a $3.5MM guarantee. The 30-year-old was unable to fill the Yankees’ gaping hole at first base this season, though, as the power-patience combo he displayed with three teams from 2012-16 didn’t transfer to the Bronx.
After combining a .221/.318/.474 line with 147 home runs, a .253 ISO and an 11.8 percent walk rate over the previous half-decade, Carter batted just .201/.284/.370 with eight homers, a .168 ISO and a 9.6 percent walk mark in 208 plate appearances with the Yankees. He also posted the majors’ sixth-worst strikeout rate, 36.5 percent. As a result, the Yankees jettisoned Carter from their 40-man roster twice before cutting the cord for good.
Now, if Carter heads to Oakland, it would make for his second stint with the organization. The A’s acquired Carter (as well as Carlos Gonzalez and Brett Anderson) from the Diamondbacks in a 2007 trade that saw right-hander Dan Haren head to Arizona. Carter stayed with the A’s through the 2012 season, after which they sent him to Houston in a deal for infielder Jed Lowrie. Given that the A’s already have a first baseman in Yonder Alonso and a designated hitter in Ryon Healy, there’s no clear fit for Carter at this time. However, with the A’s out of contention and Alonso in a contract year, he appears poised to end up in another uniform by the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. That could open up room for Carter, then.
The Rangers, meanwhile, are still in the American League wild-card hunt. They’ve hung in the race despite having gotten less-than-spectacular production at first and DH, though Joey Gallo has performed reasonably well. Mike Napoli is in the midst of a terrible season, on the other hand, but his numbers (.198/.275/.455, .257 ISO, 19 HRs in 288 PAs) have still bettered Carter’s. Plus, the two offer similar skill sets.
Alonso trade imminent? To the Yankees for Acevedo and a throw in?
I don’t know about one being imminent, but I’d make that deal in a heartbeat. Maybe throw in Refs or Mason Williams to clear up some room on the 40.
A’s don’t need Ref, have Pinder as the super sub utility man. Throw in another young, high upside pitching prospect with Acevedo and I think there’s a deal to be made.
I actually heard strong rumor, Oakland sends Alonso to Yanks and Yanks send Refsnyder, Austin, and Jake Cave.
Now that seems a bit more fair. All three are capable major leaguers. Alonso is free agent so it is win win since not too many teams are looking for first basemen. If that doesn’t do it then pass.
A’s don’t want fringe major leaguers. High potential prospects who may be good 2-3 years down the line is what Beane’s looking for.
Just ignore the troll
This guys the worst
Highly unlikely he returns multiple high potential prospects. Upcoming FA with just a .745 career OPS
You can’t take his career OPS without including how different a hitter he is this year. Would you say Aaron Judge is .608 OPS guy? Nope.
Do you think by talking down guys having elite seasons that somehow it will affect their trade value? Because no. lol Alonso is a .900+ OPS guy moving forward, that’s a fact.
Aaron Hicks has a career ops of .685. Think Yankee fans will take that into account when determining his trade value??
“Alonso is a .900+ OPS guy moving forward, that’s a fact.”
Can I get the lotto numbers Miss Cleo?
And Aaron Judge is/was not an upcoming FA. Very poor comparison.
Aaron Hicks is not an upcoming FA. Alonso is. Again. Big difference. Do you honestly expect a team to give up Multiple top prospects for half a year of a 1B?? (Assuming the team that trades for him has a good farm and not a terrible farm).
That’s not the point. Yankee fans aren’t trading Hicks the .685 career OPS player, they’re trading Hicks the .900+ OPS player.
Nobody here has mentioned Hicks except you Eck.
this makes zero sense for the rangers.
Why ?The guy’s a Bum !
” Thanks to the flaws in his game, including difficulty making contact and an inability to contribute much defensively or on the base paths,” that’s some funny stuff. Also could’ve just said he can’t do anything other than hit the occasional dinger.
He’s got a skill, on a good day, he can run into a bomb or 2, he has a proven track record, as recent as last year, I bet he does ok in the half season left, still crappy avg, way too many K’s, but some power, some RBI’s, n wins some games, all reports r he’s a nice guy n good in the clubhouse, wouldn’t be 1st athlete too wilt in NY spotlight then find self after departure….good luck CC!
The Yankees contract accurately valued his skills. He might catch fire and be an asset for an acquirer, or he might just continue playing the way he played for the Yankees. He’s cheap enough, so there are worst chances to take.
As a Rangers fan….no thanks on Carter. We have enough guys that only K or hit a HR
Rangers literally have no place for him
I agree. We have 3 starters who are batting around .200 who have power. Why add another?
Perfect fit for Oakland. HRs……..and lots of strikeouts.
Oakland would be a better fit. Small market less stress to preform. Even though Arlington is a launch pad, and yankee stadium is perfect for lefty power hitters. He had good success in Oakland and Milwaukee
I forgot he was a lefty. But, yeah the rest holds true
Wasn’t *
He probably would have success in NYY had they had more patience and let him DH everyday. He’s a very streaky guy and goes on stretches where he’ll homers everyday for a week.
Do you really feel he would have done better had he been DH more instead of 1B? The guy has been a three outcome player at the plate for a long time.
I don’t think he had a chance in New York
Boston or New York are not the place for him. If he was somewhere like Seattle, Tampa, oakland, Minnesota, or a place with less ruthless type of fans… then he would have success.
Oakland fans aren’t ruthless. Just annoying.
Is Gallo a good fielder? Because I don’t think batting .192 regardless of the HRs counts as playing reasonably well
Another Bum !
Said your mom!
His mom called Joey Gallo a bum? Smart woman
He got overexposed at 1st n uneven at-bats all season, n that NY media n fanbase can be ruthless, blame him 4 all ur shortcomings, their fade has already started….
n ur rite… :/
I am tired if this A’s are out of contention B.S. how is a team that is 6 games outs of the wild card out of contention?
Exactly….1 good wk! Hate to see teams quit!!!
Goal is to contend for years, not just limp into the postseason.
When u haven’t sniffed play-offs in years, it’s a stepping stone. A big deal too fanbase, relevant. If Henduland is 4 Dave Henderson that’s sweet…
Haven’t sniffed the playoffs in a whopping three years. Go ask the Mariner fans how they feel right now.
The Astros were terrible for years. Now look at them. And yes, it’s for Dave Henderson.