Padres News: Matt Carpenter Still Believes He's a Threat in the Lineup

The first-year Padre is still a capable bat in the lineup

The San Diego Padres were active this past offseason, as they went big fish hunting and caught a big one in shortstop Xander Bogaerts. Adding Bogaerts gave San Diego the extra boost they need to get them over the top. However, the role guys are just as crucial as the superstar players, and the Friars did just that to boost their bench. 

The Padres signed DH Matt Carpenter to the squad in free agency in late December after electing for free agency from the New York Yankees. The three-time All-Star is not what he once was with the St Louis Cardinals in his heyday, but he's no pushover, at least, he feels that way. After their victory on Thursday, Carpenter spoke to Padres insider for the San Diego Tribune, Kevin Acee and said he still feels like a threat in the lineup. 

“When I’m at my best, that’s kind of my M.O. is getting good pitches to hit and laying off balls out of the zone and getting walks,” Carpenter said. “I went through a little rough stretch where I wasn’t getting a ton of good swings off but still finding ways to walk and kind of manage that a little bit. But today was good, to hit a good pitch and put a good swing on it.”

He hit one of his two home runs and one of his seven RBIs on Thursday as Carpenter helped propel San Diego to their 10th win of the season. 

Overall, Matt hasn't done well, but he is in a limited role. Thus far, he is slashing .162/.340/.351 with a .691 OPS in 16 games and 37 ABs for the Friars. The good thing about Matt is that the Padres don't need him to be the silver slugger he once was, and he has the confidence to deliver for San Diego when required. 

If Carpenter is even half of what he was in St Louis, that would be a massive plus for the squad.