Chris Carter, Yankees Agree To $3.5 Million, One-Year Deal

Chris Carter, the National League’s home run co-leader, has found a new team.

Yankees Sign Slugger Chris Carter To One-Year Deal

Carter agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the New York Yankees on Tuesday. The deal, which is pending a physical, includes a $500,000 signing bonus, a $3 million salary and $500,000 in performance bonuses: $100,000 each for 250, 300, 350, 400 and 450 plate appearances. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported the details of the deal.

“I am excited to go play for a bigger market team with more national exposure,” Carter said in a phone interview with The Associated Press.

The 30-year-old slugger, whose career-high 41 homers last season tied Colorado’s Nolan Arenado for the most in the NL, became a free agent in December when the Milwaukee Brewers failed to offer him a 2017 contract.

Carter hit .222 with a career-best 94 RBIs while appearing in a NL-leading 160 games last season. He played 155 games at first base in his first year in the NL after spending the first six years of his career in the American League with Oakland and Houston. Carter’s 27 doubles, 122 hits, 76 walks and 84 runs scored last season were also career-highs. However, he struck out 206 times.

Carter, who received several high-paying offers early in the offseason, was running out of options and reportedly even considered going to Japan.

The Yankees realized they desperately needed depth at first base with rookie Greg Bird coming off major shoulder surgery.

In December, the Yankees signed Matt Holliday to a $13 million, one-year deal. Holliday is expected to serve as the team’s regular designated hitter.

Carter spent most of the last two seasons playing first base but spent 120 games at designated hitter for the Astros in 2014, so he could figure in either position for the Yankees.

“I’m ready for whatever role they give me,” he said. “I know they have Holliday and I know Bird’s there, so I’m looking to help the team in way I can.”

Carter’s successful 2016 season came after a challenging 2015, when he hit just .199 for the Astros with 24 homers and 64 RBIs.

“After bouncing back last year I’m looking to having a better season and contributing to my new team,” he said.

MILWAUKEE, WI – SEPTEMBER 5: Chris Carter #33 of the Milwaukee Brewers rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the second inning against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park on September 5, 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)