Chris Carter, Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images North America
William Chris Carter, the minor league baseball player better known to Mets fans as Chris, is in spring training with the New York Mets attempting to demonstrate that he should be part of the major league ball club. I’ve been reading a lot about him recently in an attempt to gather information and turn it into a nice story about a nice young man as he finds his way to the major leagues. But like Chris Carter (at least so far) I’ve been unable to put all the elements together. There’s a missing piece but I can’t figure out what it is. So instead of a well crafted Pulitzer consideration worthy post for the blog we have a pile of facts, a “link-o-rama” of sorts to various moments in the career of Chris Carter. May he be more successful than I have been in putting all the pieces together. And if he could do that in the next 10 days that would be great. I wish him good luck.
Stanford.com has a great look at Carter entitled Strong Character Shines Through which includes the following passage: “One of my favorite memories of playing came last year,” Carter remembered. We (the team) were coming back from Reno. My friend and I had both had a good game that day. While we were on the bus, we helped each other with our homework. To me, this is what being a college baseball player is about.”
Futurebacks.com sums up the highs and lows of Carter’s college and early pro career well. This is just one tidbit, which I paraphrase: Carter was highly recruited entering college and honored that Stanford was interested. He wanted to go there but had one caveat which was don’t ask me to change my swing. They assured him they wouldn’t, then did and when he didn’t respond favorably they benched him. When pro scouts came to look at players, the coaches didn’t suggest they check out Carter. Instead they said he had an attitude problem and couldn’t hit lefties. Thus Carter was not selected until the 17th round of the draft by Arizona (at the behest of Mike Rizzo, then Diamondbacks scouting director and now GM of the Washington Nationals).
Scout.com notes:Â Scouting Director Mike Rizzo took a flyer on a kid who obviously had power but A) couldn’t play defense and B) couldn’t hit left handed pitching. The jury is still out on the defense, though the Diamondbacks were incredibly impressed with his improvement at both first base and left field during the offseason. As for hitting lefties, he has destroyed them.
His first stop in pro ball was the Yakima Bears of the low A Northwest League. Yakima.net notes: In 2004, Chris hit 15 home runs and set the single season record of 63 runs batted in for Yakima. However, he is best remembered in the Northwest League for his power display in winning the home run derby competition at the League’s 50th Anniversary All-Star Celebration.
That All-Star game took place in Spokane and the Spokane Spokesman-News notes the presence of another Mets minor leaguer in that home run derby and subsequent game: Spokane’s participant in the derby will be catcher Mike Nickeas, who has hit eight home runs thus far and leads the Indians with a batting average of .338.
Paul’s Ballparks is a blog kept by a gentleman named Paul Hamman who has visited many major and minor league ballparks across North America. Among the things he witnessed when in Yakima in 2004: Two homers for Chris Carter set the table for the Bears’ win in my inaugural visit.
Carter continued to hit for average and for power and moved rapidly through the Arizona system. In 2007 at age 24 and well into his second consecutive season with the AAA Tucson Sidewinders, reporting his trade to the Boston Red Sox the Tucson Citizen noted Carter’s frustration at being stuck in the minors: Carter grew frustrated after the regular season started and talked of wanting to be traded. He saw little future with Conor Jackson at first base for Arizona. The Sidewinders have also used Chad Tracy and Tony Clark at first base.
In 2008 Carter finally got his wish. He made it to the major leagues. MLB.com notes: With slugger David Ortiz sent to the disabled list with a partially torn ECU tendon sheath in his left wrist, the Red Sox called up outfielder Chris Carter before Tuesday night’s game against the Rays at Fenway Park. Carter, who has yet to play in a Major League game, is in his first full season with the Red Sox organization after coming over in a trade that sent Wily Mo Pena to the Nationals in August. The 25-year-old Carter got the nod over another potential candidate to fill the roster spot, PawSox teammate Brandon Moss, who was named the International League batter of the week. While both players were swinging hot bats, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said the move was a way to reward Carter for his strong play while letting Moss get more regular work while recovering from an appendectomy in early May.
Carter’s first appearance in a major league game was overshadowed by multiple events, one of which would not bode well for Carter. ESPN.com notes: TV cameras showed (Manny) Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis being separated after exchanging words in the dugout at the end of the fourth inning. Ramirez pointed at Youkilis before being escorted down the runway toward the clubhouse by trainer Paul Lessard and a few players.
Carter went 2 for 3 with 2 singles and 2 runs scored in the game, but unfortunately for him something other than the brawl that would lead to the trade of Manny Ramirez went wrong that night for the Sox. Boston.com notes:  (Jacoby) Ellsbury made a tremendous diving catch in right-center in the fourth inning to rob Evan Longoria of extra bases, but he rolled over on his right wrist. You could see his wrist bend and hit the grass with force. Before Ellsbury sat up, he removed his glove and writhed in pain, trying to flex his wrist. Trainer Paul Lessard attended to Ellsbury, who strolled off the field, the scene appearing ominous. Boston now needed someone on the roster capable of playing CF, so 2 days after being recalled from the minors Carter was sent back to make room for Brandon Moss, the very player who he had narrowly beaten out for the promotion in the first place.
When rosters expanded that September, Carter returned and went 4 for 15 with 3 RBI, 2 walks and 5 strikeouts to finish 2008 with a major league line of .333/.400/.733 in 20 plate appearances. In 2009 Carter made the Sox out of spring training but once again a CF made his stay short. Carter was optioned to AAA Pawtucket April 24th when CF Jonathan Van Every was activated from the disabled list. He spent the rest of the season there, in part because of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. ESPN’s Buster Olney chronicles that major league setback for Carter, noting:  When the New York Mets and Red Sox worked out a trade for left-handed reliever Billy Wagner earlier this week, Chris Carter, an outfielder-first baseman currently playing for Triple-A Pawtucket, became part of the deal as a player to be named headed to Boston, sources said. In preparation for the deal, the Red Sox placed Carter on waivers, with the intention of moving him on to the Mets. But the Yankees, sources said, placed a claim on Carter — perhaps to create some 40-man roster discomfort for the Red Sox. In order to complete the Wagner trade, the Red Sox are now pulling Carter back from waivers, and for the rest of the year they must carry him on their 40-man roster.
With less than 2 weeks left in 2010 spring training, Carter is once again faced with roster machinations standing between him and a major league job. Perhaps this time will be the charm.
18 comments
stickguy
3/27/2010-9:20am at 9:20 am (UTC -4)
OK, I stayed up aiting, and this arrived right on time Good job.
Too lazy though to actually read all of these links, so thanks for the synopsis.
It does put a little different spin on the shallow comments about how he must not be good since he spent 4 seasons in AAA. Willing to bet if he had been drafted by a tea like the Pirates he would be well into his 3rd year as a starter at some position, and of course, getting ready to be traded.
Also liked the snippet about “killing lefties”. That stuff about why he didn’t get drafted also points out something that often happens. Guys get a reputation, and one “everyone knows” something, it is very hard to shake.
So, once it becomes common knowledge that you can’t hit lefties, are a butcher in the field, are slow, or have an attitude, well, yo are pretty much stuck with it. Regardless of what many times the numbers, or people that really know you, say.
Is Carter an MVP just waiting for his chance? Maybe not. Is he a talented power hitting LH bat that never got a legit chance in the majors (while putting up solid AAA numbers every year, sorry Kong)? Yes.
Damned Yankees really screwed this guy last year (and of course Met fans). But, he has shown enough this spring to relaly deserve a shot at the roster. And if the fielding is at all close, he should probably be starting over Murphy.
But for now, I would love to see him get the job as 5th guy off the bench. Some PH shots, and 1-2 starts a week to give Frenchy or Bay a rest. Then see what happens.
It is not unheard of to have a guy get his first real shot late in his career (and 27 is getting up there) but then take advantage of it. Even if he ends up as a DH on a 2nd tier team, he deserves a shot at a job.
GravediggerHebner
3/27/2010-11:17am at 11:17 am (UTC -4)
Stick I understand about the links, it’s a lot of reading, but if you’re bored later click on the “Stanford.com” link, it’s a really nice story.
njstuckintx
3/27/2010-9:32am at 9:32 am (UTC -4)
I’m still not completely sold on him, but I’m definitely not against him in the least. If we’re going with Cora, Blanco, GMJ, Tatis, and …. No problem with him in that last spot. I would lean towards Chris over Jacobs or Cat. based on age and, from all I’ve read, his D has to be better than Jacobs. Of course not having Jacobs means we lose that third string Catcher… But hey, we have Tatis!
DNDJohan aka kistics
3/27/2010-10:03am at 10:03 am (UTC -4)
I agree. I would prefer Carter over Jacobs or Cat.
metsfan4decades
3/27/2010-9:35am at 9:35 am (UTC -4)
Nice article. A couple of points hit me:
- The strength of his convictions in not wanting to change his batting stance – especially after being assured they wouldn’t try, then went on to do exactly that and ‘punish’ him for it. Sometimes this can be construed as arrogance but from this read, sounds like he knew what he was about and he wasn’t bending to any blackmail on that point.
- This also reads as if circumstances beyond his control contributed to him not getting the chance to make the big club and stick. True, would hard to ignore him if he was the next Pujols in waiting but I believe he’s got enough talent to warrant the shot. If nothing else, from other articles I read, his work ethic is one that can only be described as someone who takes the opportunity very seriously and is doing everything in his power to make the dream come true.
- I didn’t need another reason to hate the Yankees but if I did, that scenario last year that prevented him from coming to the Mets in September solidified it. Petty, jealous, arrogant SOBs. May all their aging stars start to show their age this year, their pitching fall apart because, hey….Hughes and Joba are not better talents than Johan, and the once again controversy between Arod, the Feds and steroids provides enough distractions off field to interfere with play on field. Jerks…..
I’m now in Carter’s corner, hoping he gets that last spot on the roster and a chance to show once and for all how his talents relate.
stickguy
3/27/2010-9:40am at 9:40 am (UTC -4)
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
Remember that evil empire! The karma gods are waiting to smite you down!
ALthough if they haven’t yet, they probably never will (maybe George paid them off?)
metsfan4decades
3/27/2010-10:10am at 10:10 am (UTC -4)
Ha! You’ve got that right.
Hazmet
3/27/2010-9:57am at 9:57 am (UTC -4)
As much as I dislike the Skankies the move to block Carter with the waiver was a brilliant FO move from their side in that it made the BoSox chew up a roster spot down the stretch with someone they knew they’d never use instead of fitting in another guy in the pen or a specialist bat for the stretch that may have helped them. If Omar had made such a move to block the Phil’s we’d have thought he was struck by lightning to come up with such an idea. Which should really be standard operating procedure.
I’m pulling for Carter too and I’m hoping that the push to trade GMJ is not only to try to get a SP of some use but also to slide Carter into the last spot and give him a shot.
metsfan4decades
3/27/2010-10:18am at 10:18 am (UTC -4)
I understand the strategy but….it involved a human being for crying out loud – not a chess piece.
Winning at all costs has to have a line drawn in the sand somewhere. Of course, with the Yankees, that line is never visible. Sometimes that ‘it’s just business, business is business’ attitude goes just a tad bit too far.
DNDJohan aka kistics
3/27/2010-10:53am at 10:53 am (UTC -4)
Well the players are no different either. That’s where the steroids came into play knowing that their lives are on the table, they still took the stuff and tried to make last penny they can possibly make.
But I understand the business side of the game and if I were Cashman, I’d do the same.
metsfan4decades
3/27/2010-10:56am at 10:56 am (UTC -4)
I’m sure you’re closer to reality than I am. Just another reason why I’d probably never make it to the top of the business world. I lack that ‘ruthless’ edge that seems to be needed.
stickguy
3/27/2010-11:04am at 11:04 am (UTC -4)
except I thought the Red SOx actually had a couple of open spots on the 40 man, so it didn’t really end up making them lose anyone? They had the same team on the field as they would have.
rustyjr
3/27/2010-10:25am at 10:25 am (UTC -4)
I hope he wins the spot he’s young hits for power & average and would be a great off tge bench power option
DNDJohan aka kistics
3/27/2010-10:49am at 10:49 am (UTC -4)
Great post. Grave shows off his talent yet again!
I agree with many of you that the Mets should give him a chance at the major level. But will they? I don’t know. Looking from Jerry & Omar’s perspective, Carter is still an unproven talent at the majors whereas you know what you are getting from Jacobs and Cat. So with their jobs on the line, they both might go with the sure thing rather than taking a chance on Carter.
Talent/production wise, I just don’t see any difference between Carter and Jacobs/Cat. Cater can play 1B and OF. It looks like Cat has played mostly OF and 1B in recent years and no other position. Jacobs plays mostly 1B and perhaps a 3rd string catcher. So essentially Carter plays the same defensive position as Jacobs/Cat. Carter is younger and can hit for power. With Jacobs, you know you’ll have a disgruntled bench player looking to start. With Cat, you’ll have a good veteran player coming off the bench, but he lacks power.
stickguy
3/27/2010-11:05am at 11:05 am (UTC -4)
I sure don’t think of Jacobs or Cat as “sure things”, unless you mean “surely not very good”!
stickguy
3/27/2010-11:02am at 11:02 am (UTC -4)
aoso swa a link on the “other” site about an article (that I did not read) on Taka. Had a quote from Barajas that Taka was a #3, or at worst a mid-rotation starter. Which I agree with.
Maybe we can make Barajas the GM, or at least the pitching coach? I am liking this guy more every day. If he hits even moderately, a great pick up.
anyway, I still stongly feel that Mejia needs to be in AA (and is that the way the tea leaves are blowing today?), with Takagucci as the #5, and misch/figgy/gaudin (if gotten!) in the pen as the long/swing/mop up man, and Neise getting ready at a controlled pace in AAA.
We really need to stop paying attention to anything the FO says at the beginning of camp. Back then, Mejia was a SP prodigy going to AA, and Neise was going to be babied since he was coming back from surgery!
oleosmirf
3/27/2010-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
He should make the team over Jacobs and Catalanotto.
He’s done nothing but hit the ball at every level in the minors. If he were on any other team besides the Red Sox, he’d be in the MLB by now…
njstuckintx
3/27/2010-2:29pm at 2:29 pm (UTC -4)
except the mets, right?