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Yankees Sign Chris Carter, Muddies First Base Position

By Bill Pivetz

Sep 27, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Chris Carter (33) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Chris Carter (33) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Yankees added another bat to the lineup on Tuesday by signing Chris Carter. Is there enough room for him and his 41 home runs on this team?

The New York Yankees made a surprising move by signing first baseman Chris Carter. The team’s front office said to be done with free agents, but at the price of the deal, it would be tough to pass on Carter. He will have limited fantasy value with the Yankees.

Carter has been a power machine over the last few seasons. From 2013 until 2016, he hit at least 24 home runs and 64 RBI. He hit a league-tying 41 homers, 94 RBI, and .222 in 160 games. Carter also saw an increase in walks, going from 57 to 76.

The downside with Carter is the low average and high strikeout rate. He never hit over .227 in any single season. He also struck out over 200 times in two of the last four seasons. In a league that penalizes for strikeouts, stay away from Carter.

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He had a strikeout rate of at least 31.8 percent over the last three seasons. Carter either makes hard contact or none at all.

He had hard-hit and medium hit rates of 40.5 percent and 45 percent last season, respectively.

Carter is an extra piece that doesn’t fit into the Yankees puzzle for 2017. The team signed Matt Holliday to be the permanent designated hitter.

They also have a presumed platoon at first base between Greg Bird and Tyler Austin. Bird is still recovering from missing all last season with a shoulder injury.

Austin could be sent back to the minors, making the platoon between Bird and Carter. Until then, this situation just became more confusing for fans and fantasy owners alike

Next: Dodgers add bullpen depth with Sergio Romo

Carter should not be drafted in standard fantasy leagues. The depth chart is too crowded for someone to have the position for themselves. He will likely split time at first base and DH, but who knows how much he will play on a weekly basis.

This also affects the values of Bird, Austin, and Holliday. I look for the players getting the most at-bats, and adding another player takes away from that

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