Chris Carter Should Take the Money and Run to Japan

About a week ago, it was reported that former Milwaukee Brewers slugger and defending National League home run leader Chris Carter was considering a move to Japan. He should take the money and run.

It has been an odd offseason for Chris Carter. First, despite being the defending National League home run leader, he was non-tendered by the Milwaukee Brewers. Then, amid a glut of first basemen/designated hitter types, Carter has yet to receive any significant interest. Last week, the idea that Carter could go to Japan floated about, a strange consideration for a defending home run leader.

And yet, from Carter’s perspective, such a move would make sense. While he has been linked to a few teams, including the Tampa Bay Rays, in the past few weeks, his market has been about as stationary as one of the Moai Statues. Japan may well be his best chance at a real payday, and a full time position.

If that is truly the case, then Carter should take the money and run. While it is relatively unprecedented for a player to head overseas in the prime of their career, it has happened before, and in somewhat similar circumstances. Warren Cromartie was a free agent, and after not receiving any serious offers due to collusion, went to Japan, where he spent the next seven years.

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That is not to suggest that Carter is facing the same scourge of collusion that Cromartie had to contend with. Instead, he is a one dimensional slugger, the type of player who just is not valued he same any longer in baseball. If he had been a free agent a decade ago, Carter would have received an impressive contract. Now, he may be lucky to sign for $1 Million in the Majors.

Last season, aside from his 41 home runs, there was not much that impressed in Carter’s campaign. He had a National League leading 206 strikeouts, while posting a .222/.321/.499 batting line. Even with all that power, Carter managed just a 114 OPS+. This is not the type of player that should garner strong interest.

Meanwhile, Carter could get a lot more money in Japan, as well as a chance to change his game. If he can cut down on the strikeouts, and become a more well rounded player, it may be enough to earn him another solid payday. Eric Thames is getting a chance based on his production overseas, and Wily Mo Pena is being given one last chance. Carter, with a productive year, could get that longer term deal he wants.

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There are times when a player should take the money and run. For Chris Carter, this is one of those times.