When the Mets traded Billy Wagner to the Red Sox, they were to receive two players to be named later. It was reported that Chris Carter, a 27-year-old first baseman/corner outfielder, was one of the players heading to the Mets.
But a third team, the New York Yankees, have thrown a wrench into the process.
As the Sox need to send Carter to the Mets, they had to put him on waivers with the intent that he would not be claimed and they could send him to Queens. Instead, the Yankees claimed him.
Obviously, the Red Sox pulled him back off waivers and will now have to keep him on their 40-man roster for the remainder of the season.
The Mets will still receive Carter, but it will have to wait until the off-season. So thanks to the Yankees, instead of seeing Carter in Citi Field this September, we’ll have to wait until spring training to see what talent he has.
Thanks a lot, Brian Cashman!
Update: Let me clarify.
I think this is a bushleague move by the Yankees, as the Red Sox already have Billy Wagner and they just want Boston to have to keep Carter on their roster for the remainder of the season.
For the Mets, this won’t affect them much. I have no notion that Carter is the next great first baseman the Mets have been searching for. He might be decent off the bench, if that, but nothing more.
This is more a critique of the Yankees / Red Sox rivalry than anything regarding the Mets roster.
It would be nice to see Carter, but I’m not going to lose sleep over having to wait to watch him in blue and orange.