Dodgers Rumors: L.A. Interested in Free Agent Slugger Chris Carter
After signing Sergio Romo Monday afternoon, conventional wisdom said the Dodgers were set heading into spring training. That would apparently be incorrect.
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports dropped an interesting nugget Monday evening, saying the Dodgers have checked in with free agent first baseman Chris Carter.
Latest notes: #Rays look to emerge as surprise contender; #Dodgers check in on Chris Carter; Rays TV deal…. https://t.co/CME36DJveA
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 7, 2017
The Dodgers, believe it or not, checked in on Carter, who remains a free agent after hitting 41 homers with an .821 OPS — and leading the NL by a wide margin with 206 strikeouts,” Rosenthal writes. “A deal appears unlikely; the Dodgers, who again project to be above the luxury-tax threshold, must pay a 50 percent tax on every dollar they spend above the limit, and might be subject to an additional surtax as well.”
Rosenthal opines Carter won’t get the playing time he’s looking for in L.A. He said the Dodgers would play him against lefties and occasionally let him roam left field.
Carter’s agent stressed the importance of playing time, and that has his client considering offers in Japan. Rosenthal adds even without the unlikely addition of Carter, the Dodgers could reduce the at-bats Adrian Gonzales sees versus left-handers this season. Gonzalez has struggled against lefties two of the last three years, last season hitting .244 with a .602 OPS against southpaws.
The Dodgers’ exploration of Carter is likely nothing more than due diligence, but it shows Andrew Friedman and company are still investigating any possible opportunity to bolster the lineup.
Sergio Romo took less money to wear Dodger blue
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