As we head into February, Chris Carter’s winter continues to drag on. The slugger tied Nolan Arenado for the NL home run crown last season, but the Brewers non-tendered him, casting him into a market full of similar players, many of whom also still haven’t found new teams. Also, at least a couple recent signings (such as Mark Trumbo to the Orioles, Brandon Moss to the Royals and perhaps even Mark Reynolds to the Rockies) have seemingly foreclosed upon possible destinations for Carter. A variety of teams have been connected to Carter recently, and MLBTR’s Steve Adams recently listed some more speculative fits. Where do you think he might end up? Here are some possibilities, some admittedly more likely than others.
Rays. Tampa Bay recently came to terms with Logan Morrison, but is seemingly still interested in acquiring a right-handed bat. Carter would certainly qualify, although there are a number of other possibilities, including Mike Napoli, Franklin Gutierrez and Byung Ho Park.
Rangers. Texas has been strongly connected to Napoli, although no deal has been consummated yet, and Carter would seemingly work as a backup option. Scott Boras, meanwhile, is reportedly trying to sell the Rangers on signing another potential DH, Pedro Alvarez.
Marlins. Carter would give Miami a righty to pair with Justin Bour at first base, and the Marlins reportedly have had interest in Carter. MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro, though, recently pointed out that the Marlins don’t figure to spend much more than their current $110MM payroll, and wrote that the possibility they would sign Carter was “extremely remote.”
White Sox. The White Sox are only a speculative possibility, as there’s been little or no reporting connecting them to Carter. But the team has a clear opening at DH, and Carter would be a fun fit at homer-happy Guaranteed Rate Field.
Mariners. This is another speculative fit, and perhaps a less likely one, since the team has Nelson Cruz at DH and righty Danny Valencia said upon being acquired earlier this offseason that he expected to play first base (where he’ll presumably complement lefty Dan Vogelbach). Given Valencia’s ability to play other positions, though, and given that the Mariners have preferred to allow Cruz to play the outfield once a series or so, perhaps the Mariners could see an opportunity here, although that seems like a stretch.
Athletics. Incumbent A’s first baseman Yonder Alonso is coming off a very poor season, and the team could potentially use Carter at first and DH while also using Ryon Healy at those positions. The A’s tend to be opportunistic and haven’t been shy about making moves in February, although there’s been nothing specifically connecting them to Carter.
Japan. Carter’s agent, former Diamondbacks GM Dave Stewart, recently said his client could consider offers from overseas, and Japanese teams would surely love to acquire a high-profile MLB hitter like Carter. And as MLBTR’s Adams pointed out, the Brewers were not able to find a trade partner for Carter when his projected arbitration salary was in the $8MM range, suggesting that he won’t be able to land much of a guaranteed MLB salary. Carter himself recently said his priority was to sign with an MLB team, however.
Other. There are, of course, more out-of-nowhere possibilities. Perhaps the Nationals could see a chance to upgrade at first, although one would think they’d have more interest in a left-handed hitter they could pair with Ryan Zimmerman, who’s controllable through 2020. Maybe the Mets could attempt to add Carter after Lucas Duda’s injury-plagued 2016 and Jay Bruce’s underwhelming stint with them, although it seems like quite a stretch to think that Duda or Carter would ever play the outfield, and the team could use Bruce or Michael Conforto at first if Duda’s back issues flare up again. Maybe the Blue Jays could see a chance to upgrade, although their acquisition of the lefty-mashing Steve Pearce complicates that possibility quite a bit. And perhaps Carter could even return to the Brewers, although that would have seemed far more likely had they traded Ryan Braun, whose departure could have bumped Eric Thames to the outfield. There’s also the possibility an injury could create an opportunity for Carter that we haven’t yet anticipated.
So where do you think Carter will go? (Link to poll for Trade Rumors app users)
24TheKid
Well I want him to go to Seattle, but I don’t think he will end up there.
User 4245925809
Still wouldn’t rule out Gutierrez resigning since he likes it there and there really isn’t a market for any of the sluggers. Shame he’s had so many injuries and a shell of himself in the field tho.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
They have Dan Vogelbach. They don’t need Carter. As a cubs fan I hope Vogelbach does great and wins the RotY.
SamFuldsFive
Nobody, and then someone gets hurt in Spring, and signs him to fill in. He then produces way more than Eric Thames.
Travis’ Wood
I’d take that bet in a second. Thames actually has some upside.
myaccount
And last year’s NL home run leader doesn’t? K.
McGlynnandjuice
Thats exactly what Carter will do. K
krillin
@McGlynnandjuice that was clever
mikeyst13
If you’re only judging production on meaningless solo HRs in blowout games, (and that’s when he hits them cause he’ll center up on a sub-par relievers fastball in a meaningless game, but in any close game or with runners on you just throw him a breaking ball low and away and he misses it by a foot) then sure Carter may out produce Thames. If you want to look at the rest of the numbers and see his .222/.321/.499 line and the fact that despite his 41 HR he only had 94 RBI, struck out a league leading 206 times, and played such sub par defense that we was actually a negative WAR player, then Thames should out produce him.
therealryan
I’m not sure why you dislike Carter so much you see fit to outright lie about stats that are easily looked up on the Internet. Carter might not be a superstar and is a poor defender, but he still produced a positive WAR. Also, while he does strike out a lot, he also walks a lot and had an OBP within 1 point of league average(.321-.322) last season.
As to your lies about his stat padding late in blowouts, he had a .664 OPS with 4 HRs when the margin was greater than 4 runs, compared to an .887 OPS and 25 HRs when the score was within 1 run. His OPS was also 163 points higher in innings 1-3 than in innings 7-9.
Carter has his flaws, but he has proven himself as an above average MLB hitter in every full season of his career. An AL team will be getting a steal on a RH power DH who doesn’t have large platoon splits and can handle 1B if you really needed him to.
JFactor
Carter had a negative WPA last year. With 41 HR’s.
That’s incredibly hard to do.
He had a 92 wRC in high leverage situations, 123 in medium, 105 in low.
Pretty underwhelming for a no glove bat
JFactor
The plus doesn’t show in the app, forgot.
slimjones92
Well mikeyst13 you just got shutdown, and now look like a fool. Any response?
therealryan
Carter did have all of 66 PA in high leverage situations last year, but if you look at his career he has a better 99 wRC+ in a still small sample of 266 PA.
As to his negative WPA, over the past 3 years his WPA of 1.17 is better than other bat first players such as Napoli, Trumbo, Moss, Morales, Cron, Fielder and Butler to name a few. For what it’s worth, since 2014 his WPA is also better than Boegarts, Odor, Tulo, Sal Perez and many other quality players.
If a team is looking for an everyday DH who can also play 1B occasionally, you could do a lot worse than Chris Carter on a relatively inexpensive 1 year deal.
mikeyst13
You’re right about WAR, it was WAA I was looking at where he was -1.7 last season.
With nobody on he slashed .231/.321/.575 last season with 23 of his 41 Hr being solo shots. With runners in scoring position he falls to .170/.309/.442 with 60k in 147 ABs. In the 7th or later in a 2 run game or less he falls to .186/.277/.384 with 43 k in 86 ABs. He was awful in clutch situations. He’s still got some value as a power bat especially if he can DH, but I’ll take the potential of Thames all day. Above average hitters don’t get non-tendered in back to back years and struggle to find an offer.
therealryan
Without context a lot of your numbers don’t mean as much. Like how 23 of his HRs were solo shots because the majority of his ABs were with no one on base. He can’t make his teammates get on in front of him. He hit a HR every 13.2 AB with the bases empty, but also hit one every 13.7 AB with men on base. Not really so terrible.
His OPS+ with RISP wasn’t fantastic at a near league average 97, but also hardly terrible. Where as his OPS+ of 162 in tied ball games is pretty fantastic and important since getting a lead usually means your team wins.
You can try and cherry pick stats to show that Carter is a poor hitter, but the truth is his stats show an above average hitter who has his flaws. I will also say that I can’t think of many great players who had to spend their prime years in the KBO because MLB teams didn’t want them.
ducksnort69
The Rays need a big righty bat, but given how late it is I’m guessing they aren’t interested. A’s seem like the more likely one, but I also could see the Rangers if the A’s somehow get Napoli.
kc38
They actually are.
wiggysf
You didn’t attach the poll link for app users.
Steve Adams
Sorry about that. I went in there and added just now.
CursedRangers
The Rangers will likely sign someone on Feb. 15th, as Fielder can be dropped off the 40-man roster at that time (and the Rangers can still collect the insurance payments). Napoli seems to make the most sense for Texas. However, Carter could be a valuable negotiating chip for the Rangers discussion with Napoli. If the Rangers don’t sign Carter I see him going to oversees.
seamaholic 2
This is irrelevant. The Rangers can sign anyone they like, just not announce it (i.e. make it official) until they can drop Fielder. This is completely normal procedure. That’s not why they aren’t signing Napoli.
Travis’ Wood
Marlins are the best fit but also too cheap to give someone like Carter $3 mil.
Gwynning's Anal Lover
Why does the Free Agent Tracker tool only go to an old article about Ian Nova?
Steve Adams
Which link to the Tracker are you clicking? I checked the one in the dropdown menu up top as well as the one on the sidebar of the desktop site, and both work.
If you can give some more detail, I’ll look into it. For the time being, here’s a link for you::
mlbtraderumors.com/2017-mlb-free-agent-tracker
madmanTX
Pedro Alvarez? Boras can go take a flying leap.
seamaholic 2
His 117 wRC+ last year was very solid, better than Carter. So was his fWAR. In fact, he was a better hitter than Napoli last year, and the Rangers could use some more lefty power. I don’t think it’s a bad fit at all.
bravesfan1998
Shoot come play right field for the braves haha
RiseAgainst3598
Guaranteed rate field haha
CompanyAssassin
Am I wrong for thinking the Cardinals could use him at 1st? I feel since we were considering trumbo, and the two are comparable that it wouldn’t be too bad of an idea. I know he isn’t stellar but he’s got power. That’d move Carp to 3rd and Gyorko could platoon with Carter. Peralta/Adams off the bench/fill in as needed. I really think it’d be kinda a smart move.
davidcoonce74
Gyorko and carpenter are both right handed.
davidcoonce74
Carter.
usafcop
Carpenter bats LH….
davidcoonce74
Also, St Louis is valuing defense more highly these days, which is why they moved Carp to first; I doubt they’d be interested in Carter, as he has very little defensive value.
A'sfaninUK
Yes, this is the truth, if the Cards are moving a solid 3B to 1B for defense, why would they want a negative rated defender at 1b?
No, this post was just made because cards fans MUST link ALL players to their team, its entry level baseball fandom and so lame to read.
postcards
Who said he’s a Cardinals fan just for linking him to them? There are others saying he would fit elsewhere, but you aren’t accusing them of making every FA about their own team. If you think the fan base does this it may be due to the fact that the infield has been a mess in recent years and outfield has become an area of concern with Grichuk under performing and Holliday/Moss leaving. The club has a lot of trade bait and money to spend, so of course a lot of FAs will be linked to them.
It’s no secret the Cardinals lack a 1B, especially one that is defensively-sound. Carpenter isn’t good defensively at 1B, so it would make sense to move him back to his best defensive position and sign Carter as he’s no worse than Carpenter at 1B (I think, correct me if I’m wrong). I don’t think it’s a good idea but it’s not even a stretch to link him to the Cardinals.
CompanyAssassin
That’s exactly what I meant lol. I wasn’t “linking every player”. Carp is an avg defender at first at best and plus at 3b. Peralta is a defensive liability half the time, so if its Carp with gyorko filling in, that corner is better defensively than peralta/gyorko. Carter provides a big bat, as we just lost 2 and I think if you have to lack in any defense area, 1st base is probably the best area.
I personally think its a pretty good idea, as he’d provide pop, and we really don’t drop that much in first base defense. 3rd base defense would rise.
sg2989
I actually could see him going to a team like the Pirates to be honest. Josh Bell just had some minor surgery on his knee, and Bell really has spent only a short time on the major league roster. Carter could help him ease back into action and perhaps be a platoon partner if Bell develops platoon splits.
whynotus
Byungho Park seems a better option
stymeedone
I’m guessing he signs with “New Agent.” Really, you’re peddling Alvarez to one of the few teams that has a spot for me!!
bosox90
Scott Boras is Alvarez’s agent, Dave Stewart is Carter’s
usafcop
Rockies should sign him and move Desmond to LF and Dahl to CF while trading Blackmon for SP help….just a thought….Carter would hit 45 plus HRs in Colorado….lol
seamaholic 2
Not really. Coors Field for right handed pull hitters isn’t particularly homer friendly. The jet stream is to right field. Also, they just signed Mark Reynolds, who’s a better player by a considerably margin.
siddfinch1079
I don’t see how Reynolds is a better player “by a considerable margin’. They seem like the same player to me. All HRs, no field, whiff a ton.
RickyAdams79
I think carter winds up in Texas. Rangers r more interested in Napoli, but rumors Im hearing is Napoli wants 3 yrs but would take 2 and rangers only wanna give him one bc they expect Gallo or Ronald Guzman will be ready in 18, and r concerned with payroll flexibility going forward. Also, don’t forget nap is 35 and has that degenerative hip disease and could start breaking down at any time, like Colby did this year.
GarryHarris
I voted White Sox…. The Sox will trade either Jose Abreu, Chris Carter or both by mid-season.
palehose79
Would’ve liked to see the Sox trade Jose and Melky to Texas for a package of young talent. If that happened then they pick up Carter or maybe even Alvarez for a year. Possibly even Ryan Howard as a cheap depth option since they’re not going anywhere this year anyway.
oneiblnd
Arizona?
sandy kazmir
Get this man on the Rays, please. The hope has to be that they are waiting until pitchers & catchers so they can put Wilson Ramos on the 60-day DL, but the wait is excruciating. We just want to see Carter hit 40 dingers in the middle of our lineup. Is that too much to ask?
kc38
Not gonna happen with Morrison back on the team. Carter isn’t gonna play everyday therefor he’s not gonna get 600 at bats therefore he’s not gonna hit 40 bombs
A'sfaninUK
Tampa really needs to trade Keirmaier and/or Dickerson for this to happen, they currently have way too many OF options, whoever is left is going to DH: Rasmus, Mallex, Dickerson, KK, Souza, Franklin.
I do agree that they -could- sign Carter to platoon 1B with LoMo and for the DH mix, but there arent a lot of PA’s there for him like there is with Oakland, who currently have an open DH spot.
ducksnort69
He would be the most days DH and occasional 1st base option, making Souza, Dickerson, and Rasmus rotate more by match ups/health/performance. Easy peasy.
sandy kazmir
They can play him nearly everyday at DH with some platoon time at 1B for the month or two when Ramos needs the DH slot. The team could pretty easily get him over 500 PA with Steven Souza Jr. being the biggest loser of playing time. Carter isn’t going to sign anywhere to be an everyday 1B so I’m not sure how LoMo is blocking him or his dreams.
kc38
Then where does Dickerson play
kc38
Then you pull Dickerson?
kc38
We have Souza, Dickerson, Kk, rasmus, smith, carter, Morrison. You think carter is gonna get 500 abs ahead of all these guys? Highly doubtful
kc38
There is still no room for him to get that many at bats.
sandy kazmir
He would be the best pure hitter on a team that has prioritized defense over offense at every other position. They absolutely can, and your personal opinion doesn’t mean as much as you think to the rest of the universe. Good talk, though, I felt like I learned a lot.
kc38
Best pure hitter lol? Trust me I would love to have him on the Rays. Idk why you think you know everything I guess you run the franchise? I see your posts everywhere and you have no knowledge or idea what’s going on. Do you not understand how many players we have that are gonna platoon. HES NOT GETTING 500 at bats here sorry know it all it’s not gonna happen. We have too many players
kc38
There’s no facts behind your answer. Just someone thinking he knows how a team is gonna be ran and any anyone can see that’s not gonna happen
therealryan
Sandy, what’s nice about Carter that I hadn’t checked before is he has been a better hitter when he’s the DH. In 764 career PA at DH, he has a 130 wRC+. I know that number still has some regression needed, but maybe he is a rare player who bucks the DH penalty. It looks like taking away the glove and letting him focus on hitting might be good for him. I’m ready for the Rays to sign him as their just about everyday DH and if they can get him for $3-4 million or so he might even be affordable enough to bring back next season in his final time through arb.
A'sfaninUK
There’s such a logjam for these type of players, you might as well have expanded the list to include landing spots for all of them:
Byung-Ho Park
Chris Carter
Mike Napoli
Pedro Alvarez
Ryan Howard
Adam Lind
Billy Butler
Justin Morneau
ducksnort69
Yeah, but Carter, Napoli, and Alvarez are the only ones who project to be “useful”.
seamaholic 2
Actually, I’ll go ith Napoli and Alvarez, but Carter is so bad defensively and on the bases that he’s not really “useful”. I’d definitely value Lind higher, and probably Park.
therealryan
Alvarez might be a better option than Carter if you need a strictly LH platoon DH, but overall he is not better than Carter. Over the past 3 years Carter has a higher wRC+, higher WAR and believe it or not, been a much better defensive 1B than Alvarez. The higher wRC+ for Carter is even more impressive considering that Alvarez has been used almost entirely against RHP over that time frame collecting only about 65 PA a season against LHP. That is obviously very necessary though because Alvarez has a career 68 wRC+ against southpaws.
ASapsFables
Hopefully, the White Sox will have no interest in resuming relations with their former 2005 June draft pick. It’s cold enough in April and May in Chicago without the extra wind chill created by all the whiffs that Todd Frazier and Chris Carter would be producing at Guaranteed Rate ⇩ Field. lol