Yankees need to move on from Chris Carter once and for all

Following his costly second-inning error that led to two runs scoring in an eventual 8-3 defeat to the Angels, Chris Carter was put on notice by the Yankees brass.

A little over a month ago I wrote a piece detailing why Chris Carter’s time with the Yankees needed to come to an end.

At that stage in the season, he was batting and even .200 with one home run and six RBI. Yet for whatever the reason, Yankee fans were adamant that I was incorrect in my assessment — and that the former NL Home Run Champ would find his stroke.

Almost on cue, Carter hit a two-run homer later that night and a total of three long balls that week. Perhaps I was wrong. Maybe the 30-year-old all or nothing slugger was worth the one-year, $3 million deal?

On Tuesday night, Carter’s inability to pick up a weakly hit ground ball that led to two runs scoring, as the Yankees’ losing streak reached a critical seven consecutive games, proved I was indeed RIGHT!

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In an effort to rectify his blunder in the field, Carter did, well… nothing with the bat — going 0-for-3, dropping his season average one point above the Mendoza Line (.201). Manager Joe Girardi even replaced him with pinch hitter Austin Romine in the ninth inning.

Girardi, who’s usually a stark defender of his players, had little support to offer the Daily News as his club dropped a half a game behind the first-place Red Sox.

"“That’s what we have,” Girardi said, when asked if Carter would remain the starter at first going forward."

Earlier in the day, general manager Brian Cashman appeared on the Mike Francesa Show — pretty much echoing the exact sentiments.

"“I thought going into this year, we were more than covered at first base between the combination of (Tyler) Austin and Bird and Carter. But obviously the best-laid plans go to waste,” Cashman told Francesa in the WFAN interview. “It hasn’t worked out. Austin got hurt. He has returned, obviously at Triple-A. Bird, obviously we have not gotten going at all. Carter has struggled mightily.“Ultimately, if things don’t change over time – we’re not sure what we’re going to get from Bob Anderson on Bird yet, so let’s assume we’re not going to see (Bird) for quite some time — over time I’ll be forced to look outside the organization if the true answer really doesn’t reside from within.”"

Ultimately? Over time? How much more of a sample size does Cashman need?!

So Carter has eight home runs. I’d think his .671 OPS, 66 strikeouts, -0.3 WAR and El Matador style defense overshadow them in a big way.

With only around $2 million left to pay on the one-year contract, it’s time the Yankees cut their losses with Carter and call up Tyler Austin — who hit a home run on Tuesday night for Triple-A Scranton. If you don’t like Austin, give Mike Ford and his 11 minor league long balls this season a try.

Right about now, I’d even entertain the idea of Rob Refsnyder at first base just because at least he can knock down a ground ball. Leave Matt Holliday and his big bat at DH and give someone new a shot. Maybe even super utility player in the making Tyler Wade deserves some consideration.

Next: It's time to seriously consider Tyler Wade

Carter’s had plenty of opportunities (54 games) to be better — way more than anyone expected back when he was first signed. With no idea if Nick Johnson… I mean Greg Bird coming back anytime soon, that giant hole at first base needs to be plugged sooner rather than later. Doing so may actually aid in halting this seven-game slide.