Matt Carpenter Signs One-Year, $740,000 Deal With Cardinals

Carpenter, Cardinals reunite ahead of the 2024 MLB season

Matt Carpenter has signed a one-year $740,000 contract to return to the St. Louis Cardinals in his 14th season in the MLB.

The long-time Cardinal is back in St. Louis after a two-year stint with the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres, respectively.

Carpenter was drafted by the Cardinals in the 13th round of the 2009 MLB Draft. But after two seasons in the minor leagues, he was promoted to the majors in 2011 where he would make his MLB debut on June 4. He only played in seven games. But when 2012 came around, Carpenter was up to speed with the big leagues and put his abilities on display.

In 114 games, Carpenter hit .294/.365/.463. He tallied 22 doubles, five triples, six home runs, and 46 runs batted in. Carpenter’s efforts saw him place 6th in National League Rookie of the Year voting, which was taken home by 19-year-old Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals.

April 05, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter (13) throws the ball to first base against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports / © Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

In 2013 he led the major leagues in runs (126), hits (199), and doubles (55). He batted a tremendous .318 and reached base in an astonishing 39.2% of his at-bats. That season he was named NL All-Star, Silver Slugger, and placed 4th in NL MVP voting.

He saw a dip in his batting average in 2014, but Carpenter was still considered one of the best in the league. With a tremendous eye at the plate, Carpenter led the NL in walks (95) and had an on-base percentage of .375. That year he was also voted to the NL All-Star team for the second-consecutive season.

Carpenter continued to be a mainstay in the Cardinals lineup throughout his career. He was named to three All-Star games in four seasons between 2013-2016 and cemented himself as one of the Cardinals’s greats after his time from 2011-2021.

After having down years in 2020 and 2021 where he batted .186 and .169, respectively, Carpenter elected free agency. The Texas Rangers then signed Carpenter to a minor league deal and invited him to spring training in 2022. His time was cut short as he remained with Triple-A affiliate Round Rock Express until he was released on May 19.

One week later, the New York Yankees signed the third baseman and everything changed. In 47 games with the pinstripes, Carpenter… well? He mashed.

July is considered one of the months during the so-called “dog days of summer” for the intense heat and temperatures of the summer weather. From July 2-31, Carpenter hit seven doubles, nine home runs, and knocked in 23 RBI. Not to mention he batted .356 in the month.

Jul 8, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Matt Carpenter (24) hits a home run against the Boston Red Sox during the fourth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports / © Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

He finished the season batting .305 with nine doubles, 15 home runs, and 37 RBI. Not to mention, he generated his best on-base percentage (.412), slugging percentage (.727), and OPS (1.138) of his career. His season was cut short due to a left foot fracture that placed him on the 10-day injured list in August. He tried to return in October but struggled mightily.

After the 2022 season, Carpenter elected for free agency yet again. Testing the market, the San Diego Padres came calling and signed him to a two-year, $12 million contract. Carpenter was headed to the west coast.

May 21, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres designated hitter Matt Carpenter (14) watch the ball fly over the right field wall for a two run home in the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-USA TODAY Sports / © David Frerker-USA TODAY Sports

His struggles continued in San Diego where he batted just .176. He still found a way to get on base, but he wasn’t nearly as effective with the bat in his hand. He only played in 76 games before the Padres traded him to the Atlanta Braves following the 2023 season. Just three days after being traded, Carpenter was then released.

Fast-forward one month later, the St. Louis fan-favorite is headed back to the Cardinals. It is unclear what role the 38-year-old will play for the Cardinals in 2024, but perhaps it is his final stop in what was a respectable career for Carpenter.

Horned Frogs have long been a fan of Carpenter and have followed his professional career for years.

He was the Frog's third baseman from 2005-2009. He earned second-team All-Mountain West Conference in 2006, 2008, and 2009. Carpenter currently ranks second all-time in games played (241), third all-time in at-bats (843), third all-time in hits (263), fourth all-time in doubles (57), and second all-time in walks (150) for the Frogs. He was part of the team that took TCU to their first Super Regional in 2009. That was the year before the first trip to Omaha. That year the Frogs played the #1 national seed, Texas, in the Super Regional in Austin. And it took all three games for Texas to advance to the CWS.

TCU Horned Frogs Baseball Preview 2024: Infield

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