Bob Nightengale

USA TODAY Sports

Chris Carter, who hit 41 home runs in 2016, finally found a home Tuesday when he agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the New York Yankees, a baseball official directly involved with the negotiations told USA TODAY Sports.

The official was not authorized to discuss it publicly because the deal still is pending a physical.

Carter was hoping to reach a multi-year deal when the Brewers non-tendered him in the offseason, fearing he would make at least $8 million in salary arbitration. Yet, the market dried up this winter for right-handed sluggers, and his major-league leading 206 strikeouts soured teams.

Carter, who received several offers of $2.5 million to $3 million early in the winter, was running out of options and even considered going to Japan.

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The Yankees, however, decided that they needed depth at first base with rookie Greg Bird coming off major shoulder surgery. He could wind up platooning with Bird at first base.

Carter, who received a $500,000 signing bonus, can also earn an additional $500,000 in incentives. He’ll earn $100,000 for making 250 plate appearances, and an additional $100,000 for 300, 350, 400 and 450 plate appearances.

In December, the Yankees signed Matt Holliday to a one-year deal, and he's expected to get most of the at-bats at designated hitter. Like Carter, Holliday is a right-handed hitter, although he could conceivably get at-bats in the outfield, opening up more time at DH for Carter.

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