Padres News: Matt Carpenter Addresses Future with San Diego

The veteran first basemen, now designated hitter, knows his time with the Friars could be ending soon...

37-year-old Matt Carpenter was a free agent signing for the Friars this offseason after going nuclear for the New York Yankees last year.

Joining the Yankees club in late May, Carpenter went off in 47 games with them hitting a .305 average with 15 home runs and an insane 1.138 OPS. Carpenter was the second-best bat for the team in those 47 games.

Unfortunately, his season was cut short by a foot fracture that would take him out for the rest of the regular season. In free agency, his fantastic stretch of baseball earned him a contract with the Padres. 

Carpenter signed a 2-year $12 million deal with the second year of that contract being a player option.

Well, in 66 games the veteran designated hitter has been nothing short of disappointing. He is hitting a poor .166 average with only 4 home runs and striking out 36% of his at-bats. 

These stats are terrible and being 37 years old doesn't allow for a long "grace" period. Carpenter knows that this team is trying to win and he might not be the best option for the Padres.

Props to Matt Carpenter for handling his situation so well

(via @sdutKevinAcee) pic.twitter.com/yWqKNryf33

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) August 7, 2023

At the deadline the Padres acquired hitters Ji-Man Choi and Garrett Cooper, both play first base and can DH. 

The Padres currently only have Tatis, Soto, and Grisham in the outfield so if any of them get banged up the Friars might have their hand forced to designate the free agent addition of Matt Carpenter to free up a roster spot.

The Padres currently sit at 55-57 and are just 3 games behind for the last Wild Card spot. If they want to better their chances at making the postseason, they might just have to cut ties with the aged veteran Carpenter.