Braves Reportedly Cut Ex-Cardinals All-Star After Recent Trade, Inconsistent 2023 Season

Atlanta reportedly released a former Cardinals All-Star on Monday after a down season

The Atlanta Braves recently made a surprising move.

Atlanta has been busy this offseason looking to improve the roster after an extremely successful 2023 regular season but disappointing postseason. The Braves won 104 games last season and were expected to make a deep run in the postseason but were upset.

The Braves have been linked to multiple stars this offseason and also depth pieces. Atlanta recently completed a surprising trade with the San Diego Padres which netted then former St. Louis Cardinals All-Star Matt Carpenter along with a few other pieces. 

There were rumors that the Braves were going to try to trade Carpenter again this offseason, but things seem to have changed as Atlanta reportedly released the veteran Monday, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. 

"Matt Carpenter has been released. The Braves initially hoped to be able to trade his bad contract like they had (Max Stassi’s) and (Marco Gonzales’)."

Carpenter now hits free agency after a down year with the Padres. The three-time All-Star appeared in just 76 games with San Diego last season and slashed .176/.322/.319 to go along with five home runs and 31 RBIs. 

The 38-year-old signed with San Diego last season after an impressive stint with the New York Yankees in 2022. Carpenter appeared in just 47 games with New York but smashed 15 home runs and drove in 37 runs.

It wouldn't be surprising to see Carpenter land with another club this offseason but as a veteran depth piece with some upside. 

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