Astros non-tender Chris Carter

The Houston Astros have non-tendered power-hitting first baseman Chris Carter, per Bob Nightengale.

The #Astros non-tender power-hitting 1B Chris Carter

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 3, 2015

The Astros have not extended a contract to Carter, making him a free agent.

In 2015, Carter batted .199 (78x391) with 24 home runs, 64 RBIs, .307 OBP, and .734 OPS.

The answer of how the Astros will deal with two players,Chris Carter and Evan Gattis, with same abilities in the batting order is to let Carter walk. Carter was projected to collect $5.6 million in Arbitration by MLB Rumors.

Carter was one of the most frustrating players to watch, he had three true outcomes -- a homerun, strikeout, or a walk. He had amazing stretches, like July and August in 2014 where he hit 20 home runs. Then he would have stretches where he strikes out 31 times over June and July in 2015.

There appeared to be no market for power hitters before the non-tender deadline, Pirates power hitter Pedro Alvarez was also non-tendered.

The Astros acquired Carter in 2013 as Houston traded SS Jed Lowrie and RHP Fernando Rodriguez to Oakland Athletics for Carter, RHP Brad Peacock and C Max Stassi.