In the past, a headline that read, "Yankees sign National League home run champ" would be stop-the-internet news.

This time, not so much.

The power of the home run has been diminished to the point that if a player doesn't offer much else, he ends up being a backup. That is why the New York Yankees and Chris Carter -- who hit 41 homers last season for the Milwaukee Brewers -- have gotten together on a one-year, $3 million deal (pending a physical) just days before spring training.

The right-handed-hitting Carter may receive some at-bats for the Yankees, but they likely won't come until after the Yankees have seen what they have in projected first-base starter Greg Bird, a left-handed hitter, and 25-year-old Tyler Austin, who hits from the right side.

Carter also should receive some at-bats at DH, though it's a crowded spot. The Yankees signed righty Matt Holliday this winter to DH, while they also will use right-handed Gary Sanchez there to give him a spell from his catching duties.

Carter's splits were very even against lefties and righties last year. Against both, he hit for power and not much else. If Austin ends up back in the minors, Carter could platoon against lefties.

Carter, 30, surely didn't want to settle with the Yankees. After belting 41 homers -- which tied Colorado's Nolan Arenado for the NL lead in 2016 -- Carter had to feel he could do better. The Brewers, though, non-tendered him, allowing him to become a free agent. There were apparently no starting positions for him.

Carter not only tied for the National League lead in homers, he also led in strikeouts. A grand total of 206 K's made him an all-or-nothing player, which devalued his worth in the market. The Yankees waited until his price dropped even further, while taking into account they must pay a 50 percent tax on Carter's contract.

Since it is just a one-year deal, it does not affect the Yankees for next offseason, when they hope to drop beneath the luxury-tax threshold. The Yankees hope Carter can help push them into the playoffs this season. The problem for them, though, is that if he is playing a lot, that means other important players are either hurt or not working out.

The Yankees hope to make the postseason in 2017, though many prognosticators don't see it. If Carter is worth a win or two, this deal makes sense for them. In the end, it will cost them $4.5 million, which is not a lot when your payroll is more than $200 million.