Yankees sign 2016 NL home run leader Carter to a one-year deal
Reliever Logan joins Indians; Morrison sticks with the Rays
With a projected 2017 lineup that still appears short on power and a home run champion on the market that could be had relatively cheap, the Yankees swooped in Tuesday, coming to agreement with Chris Carter on a one-year deal.
A source confirmed the deal, worth $3 million, which won’t become official until Carter, who tied for the National League lead with 41 homers last season while with the Brewers, passes a physical.
The 30-year-old, right-handed hitting Carter, whose primary position is first base but who also can play the outfield, produced a .222/.321/.499 slash line last season, adding 94 RBIs to his 41 home runs. Carter led the NL with 206 strikeouts, a category in which he led the American League in 2013 with the Astros when he whiffed 212 times.
Carter has played in 490 games in his career — 411 at first base and 192 at designated hitter.
The move on the surface would most seem to most affect youngsters Greg Bird and Tyler Austin, a pair GM Brian Cashman said all winter would compete this spring for the starting job at first.
INDIANS: Cleveland finalized a $6.5 million, one-year contract with left-handed reliever Boone Logan. The 32-year-old spent the last three seasons with Colorado and appeared in 126 games over the past two years. Logan had a 3.69 ERA in 66 games last season, limited left-handed hitters to a .142 average and struck out 57 overall in 46⅓ innings. RAYS: Free agent first baseman Logan Morrison and Tampa Bay finalized a $2.5 million, one-year contract. The 29-year-old hit .238 with 14 homers and 43 RBIs in 107 games for the Rays last season after being acquired from Seattle in a six-player trade last offseason.
ESPN: Mark Teixeira will work as an ESPN analyst following his retirement as a player. Teixeira will appear on baseball studio coverage, anchor show “SportsCenter” and ESPN radio.
RANGERS: All signs are pointing to Mike Napoli making a return to Texas, according to multiple baseball sources, but it could be a week until the deal is made official. Napoli is expected to rejoin the Rangers on a one-year contract.