Matt Carpenter Joins Fourth Team in Four Years After Braves-Padres Trade

The three-time All-Star will be packing up his bags once again.

Tom Dierberger | Dec 15, 2023

Matt Carpenter Joins Fourth Team in Four Years After Braves-Padres Trade /

In this story:

Matt Carpenter is on the move once again.

The Padres traded Carpenter, left-hander Ray Kerr and cash considerations to the Braves in exchange for minor league outfielder Drew Campbell, the team announced Friday. Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports that San Diego will send Atlanta $1.5 million in the deal.

Carpenter, the three-time All-Star who starred for over a decade with the Cardinals, will join his fourth team in as many years.

Carpenter wrapped up his St. Louis tenure in 2021. He had a resurgent 2022 campaign with the Yankees (after being released by the Rangers), batting .305/.412/.727 in 47 contests, but struggled last year in San Diego, logging a .641 OPS in 76 games.

Matt Carpenter looks on before a game against the Mets. — Carpenter is heading to the Braves as part of a trade with the Padres :: Orlando Ramirez/USA TODAY Sports

The 38-year-old signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Padres last offseason. He exercised his 2024 player option in November and now will join one of baseball’s most talented lineups in Atlanta.

Kerr has registered a 5.06 ERA and 10.7 K/9 in his career. Campbell, a 23rd-round pick by Atlanta in 2019, batted .254/.307/.404 in 78 games for the Double A Mississippi Braves last season.

Published Dec 15, 2023

TOM DIERBERGER

Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor's in communication from St. John's University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.