Brewers sign slugger Chris Carter to one-year contract

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In between all the Hall of Fame hoopla comes a rather significant signing.

According to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Brewers have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with free agent first baseman Chris Carter. It’ll be worth $2.5 million guaranteed.

Carter was non-tendered by the Astros in early December despite tallying 24 home runs in 2015 and 37 home runs the year before. He is not a good defender, struggles to hit for average, and owns a .312 career on-base percentage, but the 29-year-old’s power stroke should play well at Milwaukee’s Miller Park in 2016.

Carter could become attractive midseason trade bait for the rebuilding Brew Crew if he gets off to a hot start at the plate and is competent with the glove at first.

171 of his starts in Houston were at DH.

Orioles option LHP Bruce Zimmermann to minors

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SARASOTA, Fla. – The Baltimore Orioles have optioned left-handers Bruce Zimmermann and Nick Vespi and reassigned infielder Lewin Díaz, left-hander Darwinzon Hernandez and catcher Mark Kolozsvary to minor league camp.

The Orioles announced the moves Monday.

Baltimore’s spring training roster now has 46 players.

Zimmermann made 13 starts last season. He went 2-5 with a 5.99 ERA.

The competition for rotation spots with the Orioles has been a significant story during spring training, but after the team acquired Cole Irvin and Kyle Gibson in the offseason – and with top prospect Grayson Rodriguez in the mix as well – there were a lot of pitchers Zimmermann needed to beat out.