Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
As the MLB trade deadline approaches the New York Yankees will be linked to just about every player who becomes available and this season that might actually be true. One player they have not been linked to just yet but who could make sense for the Yankees moving forward is Chris Carter of the Houston Astros.
Carter, 26, is a right-handed hitting outfielder with some big power. Just so there are no illusions here, Carter will never hit for a high average. This season he is hitting .231/.322/.469 with 17 home runs and 44 RBI. Essentially, Carter is very similar to what Curtis Granderson has been for the Yankees the last couple of years, only younger and without the speed and someone who can play first base from time to time.
Is Carter ideal? No. Would he fill a huge need for the Yankees? Yes. The Yankees need power bats from any side of the plate. Carter is a power bat. What’s more is he won’t cost an arm and a leg to get. Houston is rebuilding and is open to moving everyone with the possible exception of Jose Altuve, although they would probably move him at the right price.
We all know Carter is far from perfect. He strikes out a ton, won’t hit for average and is not great on defense. However, he would currently rank second on the team in homers. Right now, Travis Hafner is second with 12 after Robinson Cano’s 20 home runs. Vernon Wells is the only other player with double-digit home runs right now. He has 10.
Carter is not at the top of the Yankees’ wish list right now but he is someone who Brian Cashman could turn to if he can’t grab a more ideal fit like Michael Young, Michael Morse or Chase Utley. Perhaps more importantly, he wouldn’t cost much, probably a B prospect or two, leaving the Yankees more flexibility moving forward. He also doesn’t become a free agent until 2019, giving the Yankees a cheap power bat moving forward.
