The Cardinals announced that they have signed Matt Carpenter to a one-year deal. He was already under contract for 2024 but was released by Atlanta last month, meaning the Cards will only have to pay him the prorated league minimum for any time spent on the roster, with that amount subtracted from what Atlanta pays. The Cards now have a full 40-man roster.
Carpenter, now 38, returns to the organization where he spent the majority of his career and had his best years. Drafted by the Cardinals in 2009, he was with the big league club from 2011 to 2021. He played in 1,329 games in that time, hitting 155 home runs while slashing .262/.368/.449 for a wRC+ of 125. He made three All-Star teams in that time and won a Silver Slugger award.
His production tailed off in the final three of those seasons, including a batting line of just .169/.305/.275 in 2021. The Cards declined a $18.5MM club option for 2022, taking the $2MM buyout instead. As a free agent, he made a concerted effort to revamp his swing but still had to settle for a minor league deal with the Rangers that winter. He reported to their Triple-A club and showcased his new swing with tremendous success, slashing .275/.379/.613 in 21 games there.
Despite that excellent showing, the Rangers released him and Carpenter was able to secure a big league deal with the Yankees. For a short amount of time, he was arguably the hottest hitter on the planet. In 47 games in pinstripes, he hit 15 home runs and produced a monster line of .305/.412/.727. Unfortunately, that dazzling display was cut short when he fouled a ball off his foot and suffered a fracture in early August.
The Padres decided to bank on that brief burst, giving Carpenter a two-year, $12MM deal going into 2023, with an opt-out after the first season. But he crashed back down to earth in a big way, hitting .176/.322/.319 last year. He clearly fell out of favor with manager Bob Melvin, getting only 30 plate appearances from late July until the end of the season. Carpenter made the easy decision to lock in $5.5MM for 2024 by exercising his player option.
Though he declined a chance to return to the open market, he would find himself back there anyway. The Padres traded him to Atlanta along with left-hander Ray Kerr, with minor league outfielder Drew Campbell going to the Padres. Atlanta tried to trade Carpenter again but gave up and released him three days later, clearly demonstrating that they only took on his contract as a means of getting Kerr.
The Cardinals will be hoping that Carpenter has another bounceback in him, presumably inserting him into their designated hitter/pinch hitter/bench bat mix. Carpenter played some third base and the outfield corners as recently as 2022 with the Yankees but was mostly a DH with the Padres last year, with 81 innings at first base his only time in the field.
The Cards don’t have a strict DH on the roster, with nine different players having received 27 or more plate appearances in that slot last year. They could opt for a similar approach in 2024. Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado will have the infield corners spoken for, with Masyn Winn and Nolan Gorman perhaps up the middle. Tommy Edman, Lars Nootbaar and Jordan Walker are the likely starting outfielders while Dylan Carlson could be the fourth outfielder. Brendan Donovan figures to be in a super utility role until an injury opens up a clear path to playing time.
But there are also elements of uncertainty in that group. Goldschmidt is going into his age-36 season and will turn 37 towards the tail end. Winn isn’t a lock to hold down shortstop after he struggled in his first taste of MLB pitching, which could perhaps move Edman there. But Edman himself underwent offseason wrist surgery and is still recovering. Donovan had flexor tendon surgery late last year. Walker is a former infielder who is still considered to be a poor defender in an outfield corner.
There are many moving pieces and it’s possible that things open up in a way that leaves room for Carpenter to get back on track this year. There are at least some similarities here to the situation with Albert Pujols. He also spent his best years in St. Louis before wandering to other clubs and struggling, but he came back to the Cards in 2022 and had arguably his best performance in over a decade. Carpenter’s overall career doesn’t compare to Pujols and he’s also had some more recent signs of success, but it’s an interesting parallel nonetheless.
Ultimately, it’s a low-risk move for the Cards since Carp is essentially free and isn’t guaranteed any playing time. If his performance is similar to his 2023 work with the Padres, he can simply be released, with Atlanta remaining on the hook for his salary.
Perhaps the person with the most to lose with today’s news is Alec Burleson. He was lined up to be a lefty-swinging bench bat for the club but might now get pushed to the farm, since he still has a full slate of options. He has hit well in the minors but has slashed just .237/.295/.375 in his major league career thus far. Perhaps he will find himself taking regular at-bats in Triple-A, depending on the health and performance of the aforementioned names on the roster.
For Cardinal fans, it could be another year of nostalgia storylines involving some long-tenured players. In 2022, Pujols returned to the club for a farewell tour, with both himself and Yadier Molina retiring after that campaign. Last year, Adam Wainwright’s attempts to secure his 200th career win before walking away from the game took center stage as the club fell out of contention.
thomyorke'sbag
a reunion for a washed superstar… where have I seen this before?
Francys01
Matt Carpenter welcome back to the St Louis Cardinals.
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
Carpenter can help build the bench he’ll be sitting on
moneedstogo
Marmol is the Manager still so you never know what ways Marmol finds to lose a game. Carpenter should him with that.
diggin4three
@ Curly.. if a person needs help to build a bench, they’re not much of a Carpenter.
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
@diggin4three, you nailed it
Unclemike1526
Are they going to talk Nelson Cruz out of retirement? He’s only 45, Lot’s of good baseball in him.
CrikesAlready
If he swings a hammer like he swung his bat last year…
GO1962
Clever comment Curly
paulk-2
I’ll take a 45 year old Nelson Cruz over Matt Carpenter. Thats .240 average is still 70 points higher then Carp’s .170.
17dizzy
Marmol doesn’t need help in making POOR JUDGEMENT MISTAKES!!
Marmol has that Market Cornered without the help of anybody!!!!!
GO1962
I love the reunion. Cardinals Nation Rocks!
PistolPete44
You in la la land? He is taking up a spot for a better player to play. He is no longer worth the minimum salary paid in low A
stan lee the manly
It worked out pretty great with Pujols
lesterdnightfly
Yes, and they are certainly the same talent level, eh?
Liberalsteve
One is in his 30’s..The other one was in his mid 40’s
JCL10
Pujols and carpenter are completely different players. No matter their age. No need to compare them.
paulk-2
The only thing similar was neither was signed to win. Cardinal’s management feeds off of the Cardinals fanbase of wanting feelgood moments in place of winning teams. They just lucked out on Pujols hitting a groove the second half of his last season.
17dizzy
Pujols was a legend hired back.
Carpenter is a hired back Liability!!!
RonDarlingShouldntBeInTheHallOfFame
Wait..there was honestly a time you thought of Carpenter as a superstar? Dude had a few very good years..but personally, I never would’ve put him in the superstar category.
mlb fan
“I never would’ve put him”…I tend to agree. A “superstar”, in my opinion, is someone who would have a strong HOF case if they stayed healthy throughout their career. Carpenter has been a “good” player, but no one will be touting him for the MLB HOF, so he’s never really been a “superstar”.
Liberalsteve
He had a few better years than soto
CardsFan57
Soto’s worst two years for OPS+ were one point lower than Carpenter’s single best year. Soto was 19 and 20 at the time. No I don’t count the 128 at bat season with the Yankees. I liked Carpenter a lot. He was never near a Soto caliber player.
solaris602
Hard high fives all the way around the room. Yeah, baby!!! Dude’s totally washed, and Longball Lynn is close behind, but they’re home, and that’s what’s important, right? Let’s raise a glass and launch into a chorus of “Sentimental Journey”.
paulk-2
I would say that Lynn has a chance at redemption this year. No way he gives up 40+ longballs this year.
Lanidrac
Pujols was at least still a valuable hitter against lefties even before having that last good year back in St. Louis. I don’t see Carpenter doing much at all.
Dotnet22
That’s not Phil Maton!!
paulk-2
Hopefully he is cut in Spring Training
17dizzy
Pure De old —- outright stupidity!!!
If Mozeliak actually signed him to play—-
Then this is absolute proof Mozeliak has lost his Freaken mind!!!!!!
Dotnet22
But but but but ……why
JimtheEsquire
League minimum, ATL pays his salary, and the Cards might get Yankees Matt Carpenter.
baseballpun
Busch isn’t Yankee Stadium.
Dotnet22
It’s for nostalgia and ticket sales. You can’t tell me there wasn’t a better player out there to use on that roster spot.
gourley4p
Only 2 of Carps HRs in Yankee Stadium would have stayed in the yard at Busch
Chris2215
Hey DeWitt,
Fool me once with Pujols……ya it worked out.
Fool me twice with Waino……didnt work out.
And now you try it again…..with Lynn, Carp, Yadi, Descalso etc etc etc.
Arenado is gonna get fed up and be a Dodger by July
JCL10
Not likely, Dodgers have no spot for him unless Muncy gets hurt. There’s a reason we’ve showed basically no interest in Matt Chapman, who is basically Walmart Arenado.
paddyo furnichuh
If Arenado, Goldie, and Edman return to previous form and Wynn, Walker, Nootbaar, and Gorman continue improving, StL could be very good.
lesterdnightfly
That’s a lot of big IFs.
If pigs could fly, we’d all be ducking pigsh*t.
baseballpun
I LOVE your screenname.
Lester D. Nightfly.
Hello, Baton Rouge.
paulk-2
and Goldy will be gone as well. no superstars at all in STL by 2025.
stymeedone
Will the people willing to buy a ticket to see Matt Carpenter play, please raise their hand.
paulk-2
There are a lot of players that can hit higher then. .175
paddyo furnichuh
You may have noticed my conclusion was they “could be very good.”
As far as the likelihood of my suppositions, most of those mentioned will likely be good this year-the bigger leaps are Winn developing (low BB%?) and will Goldy make the necessary adjustments this late in his career.
If Winn can improve his plate discipline when he hasn’t shown a ton of that in MILB, that might be a pig flying situation.
Lanidrac
It’s more likely that the active and 40-man roster spots have more value than Carp does these days.
paulk-2
He is on the 40-man roster. They just sent a player overseas and then put Carp in his spot. It’s inexcusable to have him back in the mix.
Lanidrac
Yes, and that’s the problem. It would’ve be better to save that roster spot for a bullpen signing or at least a decent bench player.
Joe Robbins
Crap. I just really wish they would use their time and resources on good things.
diggin4three
You will get tired of wishing before things ever change enough to really matter.. I’m surprised you haven’t already.
DarkSide830
Reminds me of the ending of the Great Gatsby.
Daryl Pauley
Nnoooooooooooooo!
n2thecards
this is just so he can retire a Cardinal, right?
WillieMaysHayes24
I hope so. Total waste of a roster spot otherwise.
asdfgh
I bet if he’s showing this in Spring Training he would be cut the cardinals are buying low and hoping for something we would be in disbelief but hey let the guy prove us wrong need everything falling our way with this team hoping for at least another high leverage reliever
CardsFan57
No it’s not. He can’t retire until the end of the year without forfeiting the Atlanta money.
Braves_saints_celts
Watch these reunions with carpenter and Lynn turn out to be like the reunion with pujols.
lesterdnightfly
I stopped watching for that five minutes ago.
Fivehead
Are you Mo?
paulk-2
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!
10centBeerNight
Nice story. Hope he has a productive final season for the Cards
LonnieB
League minimum isn’t bad for a veteran
Dotnet22
Atlanta is paying him $6MM to play with St Louis.
Jesse Chavez enthusiast
No they aren’t they were paying him 4.5 million and gained a Kerr. Now with the Cardinals paying the league minimum they are paying him only about 3.75 million
Longtimecoming
If that is the criteria, Hosmer is available and 4 years younger (still under contract with Padres paying about 12.5 in 24 and 25) so can be had for league minimum).
I’ve been silently wondering why Padres don’t just add him back to 40 – they need a LH bench bat / DH / 1b that is cheap and well, he is free since they pay him anyway! Not saying he is who I want, just a curious situation there.
Gwynning
Hos may be getting paid by the Pads but they don’t own his rights… and I can’t imagine they claim him. I’d rather pay for CJ Cron or Cooper and walk away happy.
Longtimecoming
Definitely want Cooper right now for what is available for the money.
Longtimecoming
Wil Myers anyone – for 2.5 + incentives?
paulk-2
Too bad the veteran can’t hit a lick anymore.
This one belongs to the Reds
As a baseball fan, nice to see him go back home.
Devlsh
I’d like to see him go back home too…..but I’m thinking his residence….or maybe an old folk’s home.
n2thecards
Yes! haha. I’m perplexed with the Jared Young and Buddy Kennedy thing. Why are they on the roster?
Four4fore
You forgot Jose Fermin.
TheStevilEmpire1
Please say this is a minor league deal with no guarantee money. They could really use another quality bullpen arm.
mlb fan
95% of Carpenter’s salary is being paid by Padres/Braves, not the Cardinals.
Eovaldismemes
it’s league minimum, we have money for another pen arm
thecrocusesareinbloom
Since you’re paying him league minimum, there’s no reason not to do this. If he’s still got it, great. If not, move him into some kind of coaching role midseason and let him be a mentor for the young guys. Always liked Carp.
Longtimecoming
Padres needed him and he didn’t have it in 23. At 38 probably not a good bounce back candidate but for league minimum, returning home for a send off etc. no harm here. Just don’t get hopes up.
99socalfrc
Plus it’s prorated, so they can cut him loose whenever they want and spend even less.
RobblyDobs
I look forward to the irony of Marp telling the young guys to pay attention to the hitting coach
eatonculo
Yeah, but will they actually move on? The front office loves former Cardinals “greats” a little too much.
krhuff
Liked Carp until his entire career derailed about mid-August of ’18. I would argue he “hasn’t had ‘it’ ” since!!! Have done a 180 and went from loving him to hating him. Dude needs to give it up.
damancash
Good for him class act,
mang
He will probably hit .325 with 20 homers and 80 RBI now
krhuff
Hasn’t hit like that since late July / early Aug. of ’18!!! Yes, had a hot like 2 1/2 weeks for the Yanks, but was TERRIBLE the remainder of that time. Looked pretty good for the sum of his stats., but even that was still only over 128 ML AB’s.
mang
Oh, thank you. I thought he was still an All Star. Appreciate you very, very, very thoroughly explaining his drop off to me.
THEY LIVE!!!
Carpenter is going to pitch and DH and occasionally fill in at 1B and 3B.
tominco
Holy crap. To do what? Sweep up the dropped sunflower seeds?
lesterdnightfly
No. It’s so he’ll be the 20th Veteran Presence on the ’24 Cardinals.
99socalfrc
I’d guess this is just to get him into Spring Training and see if he has found the fountain of youth in the off season. On the 99% chance he hasn’t, they just cut him.
krhuff
nope….that’s b.s. If that’s all it was he’d’ve only been extended a minor league contract.
fstop13
Can we get Chris Carpenter instead? Or even Cris Carpenter
Flanster
Karen Carpenter?
lesterdnightfly
Mo, answering a question about building the most over-the-hill roster in MLB, sings “We’ve only just begun….”
Gwynning
Batting fourth and playing the hot corner, Mary Chapin-Carpenter!
Sid Bream Speed Demon
He feels Lucky!
Bart Harley Jarvis
@Flanster,
Too soon! R.I.P. Ms. Carpenter.
Flanster
You’re right. I guess 40 years is too soon.
Bart Harley Jarvis
Yeah, we’re coming up on the anniversary.
StlCardsDisappointment
Lolllll
Samhaggertyplayoffhero
That’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time
krhuff
even Cris Carpenter……lol
geg42
Nostalgic
rocknwell
This makes zero sense.
Jeremy320
This is a bad team. Everybody knows that. Mo is bringing in former Cards to make it interesting for the highly valued season ticket holders.
rocknwell
I agree. I haven’t seen many smart baseball moves in recent years.
Eatdust666
That’s right, most of the baseball moves in recent years were low brain cell moves, if not zero brain cell moves.
rocknwell
For the record I mean it in terms of the Cardinals and the main roster. Not talking about depth moves or other teams.
bryzzo
I find it funny how we as fans use the factor we got him cheap because the braves are on the hook to make it a good signing.This would only work if the GM said we have $20 million to spend in free age and with this signing we now have $19.5 million, otherwise saving the money means nothing to me.
CreeksideFantasyBaseball
This man is an STL Legend and one of the best pure hitters of the last couple of decades, so many negative comments it’s silly. Wishing carp an awesome final season!
MediocreCardinals
Found the Homer. Carpenter is not one of the best pure hitters of the last decade. lol.
krhuff
He’s COMBINED for a 1.0 WAR over the last 4 seasons!!!!
He’s TRULY AWFUL!!!
Probably been THE WORST Offensive Player in MLB since mid-Aug. of ’18 on!!!
nailz#4life
4th season in a row for hosting a retirement celebration to a STL Cards player. Pujols, Molina, Adam and now Carp.
JCL10
Ehh technically molina and pujols were the same season but i get your point.
Deez Cardinals
This changes everything!!! World Series bound!!! All kidding aside welcome back home
BaseballGuy1
STL simply cannot stop running the Nostalgia Train….. waste of a roster space. Just another misfit clogging up the STL roster. Cheap, cheap, squeak, squeak, the STL way. Do not care if the league minimum. Play someone that has upscale potential and that can play the field defensively.
Grand Salami
Whats next, they bring back Walt Jocketty to manage the front office next offseason?
TrumboRedux
“Jocketty??” I have NO idea who that is but what a truly awesome name.
rocknwell
He was the GM before Mozeliak took over as POBO. Back when GMs actually did the heavy lifting. Now being a GM means nothing. I think Jocketty went to the Reds after his stint in STL.
Fivehead
He was a good GM, taught MO everything he’s forgot.
Champs64
We can only hope this would be true.
lesterdnightfly
Mozeliak thinks he’s a clone of Matt Holiday and Chris Carpenter.
Mo’s Roster Logic so far is … not of this Earth.
comptoncardinal
I need a new team to follow. I’m done with the Cards. Straight up nursing home squad.
rocknwell
I actually recently started following the Braves again, remembering in my childhood that they were a favorite of mine. So I don’t blame you! I also want to start following the Rockies. They are always bad. Would be cool to see them transform over the years…if ever
JCL10
I promise you they won’t. Not until the team is sold and every front office guy is fired at least.
rocknwell
My desire is to become a billionaire so I can buy the Rockies. It’ll never happen, but one can dream. I’d love to buy that team solely to make it an awesome franchise. Purely for entertainment.
Old York
Guy’s gonna rake!
BA: 0.183
OBP: 0.287
H: 35
BB: 36
HR: 6
krhuff
Probably being generous. I’d be STUNNED if he can hit better than Wynn did in his stint w/ the team to end the year!!
BA: .172
OBP: .230
H: 21
BB: 10………fine, this is one where he should do better at least
HR: 2
DonOsbourne
I see what the theme for this season is already. They’re not even trying to win.
TheStevilEmpire1
So the 40 man roster is full. That would be indicative that another bullpen arm wasn’t prioritized. I’m a big Carpenter fan but what’s the purpose of this?
If he makes the roster, he’s going to be taking at bats away from younger, more deserving players. It’s hard for me to get behind this.
Mo is milking the PR nostalgia dollar too much. It worked when they brought back Pujols, it backfired with Molina, and most Cardinals fans were over the nostalgia watching Wainwright painfully sputter to 200 wins last summer.
My opinion means little but this move shows that Mo is looking behind him and not forward. He’ll be retiring soon so we need to bare with this a bit longer.
DonOsbourne
That’s exactly how I see it.
krhuff
And I’m a Carp “Hater” and think this deal is one of the STUPIDEST I’ve seen the Cardinals concoct of the last 30 years or so!!!
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Wonder if he’ll have his 1970s p-stache (Bulletproof reference with Adam Sandler, Damon Wayans Sr. And James Caan)
baseballpun
Why
StlSwifty
Well that’s one way to waste a roster spot… I thought the cardinals would have learned their lesson after two straight years of watching guys limp to the end of their careers, but then we signed 4 guys with an avg age of 36… smdh… #MoNeedsToGo.
DonOsbourne
Let’s all say it together.
acoss13
Worst case scenario Carpenter is cooked, you cut him loose midseason and he goes out as a Cardinal. He might just crank out one last good run just like Pujols did, and he becomes a reliable bench piece, all the while Cardinals just pay league minimum for him.
Simm
League min for him is an overpay
krhuff
EXACTLY how I feel!!! LOL
Hired Gun 23
As a coach, great move. As a player, not so much…
BabeRuthsPiano
This one really moves the needle
mad1
Lol, cards love these pathetic reunion tours
Crash_n_burn
His price tag is cheap the MLB minimum, from all l heard about him he wasn’t a bad teammate, a vet maybe he can help the youngsters navigate life in the big leagues and if he is washed, cut him and move on. No big deal.
Charlie'sSinging
Funny thing is, he was well-known for not listening to coaching at the end of his Cards’ career. That would make me a little nervous about bringing him in as a clubhouse guy.
mlb1225
Getting the 2014-2015 band back together. Now all they need to do is sign Kolten Wong and Randal Grichuk and make a trade with the Dodgers for Joe Kelly and Jason Heyward. Heck, bring Rosenthal back on a minor league contract.
DonOsbourne
SSSSHHHH! Not so loud!!!!!!
Salzilla
Aww, a happy moment.
SweetBabyRayKingsThickThighs
If he sucks he’ll have a forced retirement presser sometime during a May homestand
krhuff
Except he won’t. They’ll let it drag on and on and on like they did w/ DeJong for the last 1 1/2 seasons ’til finally traded.
CardsFan57
There was absolutely no need for a bench bat well past their prime. He can’t retire until the end of the year or he’ll lose the Atlanta money. I’m not a fan. There are many younger, more capable options competing for ABs.
Dotnet22
I remember when Carp had 199 hits on the year with 3 games to go. Then proceeded to finish the year 0 for 12. I was very disappointed.
Alex O.
He was on my fantasy team that year lol I remember watching him too and being disappointed. Great season overall though.
krhuff
If you’re talking about that year that he was in the running for the MVP for a while. He was DREADFUL for the last 5 – 6 weeks in all actuality….and then sukked in the postseason as well. So there was DEFINITELY warning signs and YET Mo extended him another like 3 seasons. I was SO PI$$ED BOTH at Mo and even at Carp to some degree.
Dotnet22
Yep, great season overall. Led the league in a few stats. But faded towards the end.
Alex O.
Yeah it was that year. 2013 I think? I just remember him being stuck on 199 hits and not getting to 200 haha. I had him and Daniel Murphy who were just racking up hits for me.
Eatdust666
It was in fact 2013
Charlie'sSinging
Yep. I yelled at the TV, newspaper, radio, and every other medium I could find when Mo signed him to that extension. He looked totally done at the end of the year. Terrible time to give him a big dollar extension.
BaseballBrian
The contract is contingent upon his having a decent mustache.
JCL10
Lol. Yankees stache was classic.
Four4fore
Cheap, but why. Unless he is backfilling a roster spot for an upcoming Burleson, Donovan or Gorman trade.
krhuff
That’s what I wondered. I hate it in its’ current context, but maybe one of those 3 on the move in a bigger deal for a Luzardo, Bieber or someone? If NOT, then I just hate with a Fiery Passion!!!!
Four4fore
Also could be Goldy.
CardsFan57
Goldy won’t be approving a trade until the season starts. That’s how he blocks a QO.
Four4fore
Good point.
spudchukar
I am sure this comes with the understanding that his Spring Training will be a test. If not no harm no foul. If he shows some promising ok, if not he could accept a demotion to AAA, or retire a Red Bird.
krhuff
No! That’s what you do to someone that you give a minor league F.A. Deal (Lg. Min. is still a major lg. deal ……he can refuse assignment to AAA).
headhawks
Waste of paperwork. Only hope is to announce his retirement and put him to pasture.
For everyone saying he will be good on bench and offer help to you get players. If it didn’t work with waino, Albert and yadi. It ain’t working with carp. He’s simply taking up roster space/potential AB’s for Donovan et al…. Just a stupid move
krhuff
Agree SO MUCH!!! I would argue the worst Cardinals’ F.O. move of the last 25 – 30 years. Only his extension (when MOST of our fanbase thought that he would be traded) rivalled this! 🙁
SupremeZeus
Actually, a rather expensive proposition for the Cardinals. The roster spot is too valuable to give to Carpenter for a team trying to compete for the World Series Title 🙂 Nobody does nostalgia like the Redbirds. Get rid of divisions.
Rsox
Carpenter, Lance Lynn. Mo trying to party like its 2013 again…
MLB Top 100 Commenter
I thought one-day deal
CardsFan57
He can’t retire without losing the Atlanta money. 2025 would have been the time for that move.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Good point. I guess they could let him start Opening Day and then cut him without calling it a retirement.
Wagner>Cobb
Unreal.
Ol’ Uncle Charlie
The economics make perfect sense and he’s a total lottery ticket. Nothing but upside if it works out. If it doesn’t work, nothing is lost. Smart play.
Big whiffa
The deal is for minus 20 million. Carp feels guilty and wants to give some of that money back
krhuff
Yes….something IS lost. A roster spot for an ACTUAL, DESERVING PLAYER!!!
Ol’ Uncle Charlie
Doubtful that Matt makes it out of spring training, but if he does, it means he’s playing well.
Of all the things we’ve talked about in the off-season, I don’t recall anyone in the system who was slotting in to be be a bench/utility/DH bat. Those roles are usually filled by cheap, veteran guys brought in OR guys who are ready (Burleson), but don’t have a lot of perceived upside. Burleson profiles as just a guy. So does Matt, at this point.
And Matt can play the infield as a bench guy, whereas Burleson can’t. Palacios was basically that guy, but we dealt him for some pitching depth, which we need more than Palacios.
Anyone we have in the system that MAY become high impact SHOULD start in Memphis and get seasoned. That way, the team can save one of his minor league options for later when/if it is truly needed.
When you bring up young talent, they need to play regularly. No one cares if Matt rides the pine. He’s just looking for one last shot and so are the Cards.
This is a move that is worth a try. And there really is no downside.
spudchukar
Doesn’t mean he won’t accept it, even for a September call-up!
spudchukar
Correcto! This hurts no one. Cards may be thinking Burleson, Carlson or others need some more seasoning. I believe Victor Scott will be the starting centerfielder, Edman back to second or SS if Winn cannot produce. Saggese is knocking on the door, with Donavan ready for anywhere. If Jordan Walker struggles, then maybe Donovan será time there. Just a lot of option with Carpenter blocking nobody. Time to break out the “Pixie Dust.”
Charlie'sSinging
Matt could play the IF five years ago. I wouldn’t want to see him going out there with a glove this year, unless it’s to pitch in a game we’re losing by 15 runs. It is a waste in that regard. From a 40 man roster perspective, it would have made more sense to use the slot on a RP. From a utility bench perspective, it makes more sense to spend it on someone who can play multiple positions (well) in the field and pinch run late.
dwill 2
You have to be explicative kidding me. IT took the cards a contract he didn’t deserve and two years to get rid of him. He can’t hit to the left side if he tried. I’ll take Burleson every day and twice on Sunday over Carp. now the 40-man slot is full with this slug.
krhuff
Seeing all these ladies on Facebook Cardinals’ sites, oh so happy and I’m just like…..Ugh! I’m not even “indifferent” on this move. I HATE IT!!!! Like Hate, Hate!!!
SODOMOJO
He never wanted to leave. He just had to go prove himself again
CJ81
well that hasnt happened yet
krhuff
Which he didn’t. He did for a period of AT MOST 4 – 5 weeks w/ the Yankees…..THAT’S IT!!!! That’s all….otherwise been the same .160-hitting do nothing player he was when he last with the team!!!!
SODOMOJO
That run with the Yankees covered up a lot of ugliness, I agree
gojira15
It seems like the Cardinals FO has no concept of roster construction. Yes, they desperately need veteran bench pieces, but Carpenter doesn’t fit positionally, as he’s basically a DH who can maybe play 1B. 3B in an emergency. Meanwhile, the team has no quality backup middle infielder and a crowded but bad OF bench. I suppose the backup CFs will be Dylan Carlson and Michael Siani. Inspired. Also, Carpenter has been downright dreadful in four of the last five seasons. How does this make sense? Again, I see the need for veterans on the bench, but surely they have better options.
krhuff
Should’ve kept O’Neill over this crappy move!!! 🙁
CJ81
i am totally with you. as much as people hated oneil, he has huge upside on both sides of the ball. he was at least a lottery ticket. carp only has upside as a dh stealing at bats primarily from gorman, burleson, walker, donovan.
Cohn Joppolella
Sneaky good
krhuff
What? Like 7 – 8 years ago?!?!?!?
Cohn Joppolella
Very sneaky
Slider_withcheese
Maybe a better idea would be to bring back former cardinals Zac Galen, Sandy Alcántara or Randy Arozarena.?
krhuff
Honestly my LEAST FAVORITE move by Cardinals mgmt. over the last 25 – 30 Years!!!! 🙁 This move could’ve been saved as an Aug. Waiver Claim if they were having another sh#tty season. Otherwise, he’s stealing a young prospects spot! 🙁
Kelland
ffs
Saint Nick
Braves Legend Matt Carpenter
User 2161944466
They needed a veteran to veteran the veterans.
greg1
Hey, why not? There are worse players getting paid the MLB vet minimum right now. Worth a flyer on a guy they know and are obviously comfortable with.
cubfanforever
Cub fan here. Carpenter has been a Cub killer in his heyday. But his heyday is long past. He’s done, toast. I suppose a feel good move for the organization. He’ll be released sometime during the season.
Grand Salami
Based on your username, the first sentence was probably unnecessary.
cubfanforever
Good point Salami.
Niekro floater
Seriously looked outa gas all season w/Pads last yr. Swing lookd lil long n lil slow.
17dizzy
Unless the trade for Carpenter was just signed for him to put on a Cardinals uniform one more time during Spring Training—- “Then Retire a Cardinal” then that’s okay. BUT ——-
If the Front Office is planning on actually playing him —— then this is the dumbest trade in the world for a team who just had a 71-91 season in ‘23
Ignorant—— unless he wants to retire as a Cardinal !!!! If not — and Mozeliak expects him to play???? Then Mozeliak needs to be fired on the spot!!!
westcasey
I will be surprised if Carpenter makes STL Opening day Roster. If that’s true, not much $ wasted (comparatively in MLB.)
headhawks
Money is irrelevant! He’s taking a spot on roster and also he will be taking AB’s away from younger players. Absolutely one of the worst moves in StL history. Mo has gotta go. Unless this is a sign and retire move. That is the only way this move makes since.
Card66
This signing makes me wonder what MO is not telling the fans, is Donavon, Edmund or someone else not going to be ready to play at the start of the season and this is a CYA move?
Charlie'sSinging
Doesn’t matter. They would have been better off with any number of minor leaguers. They could at least give them some value in the field.
cmessick2080
I think that no matter what kind of season he has, he has come back to retire as a Cardinal.
krhuff
Funny to see them quote what Burleson ONLY did and yet that would be FANTASTIC for M. Carpenter at this point! lol
meangreandancingmachine
I’ve sat here for hours trying to understand this move and I still can’t do it. This HAS to be part 1 of a 2-part move that ends with a trade. How else to explain it?
If Carp had received a minor league contract with an invite to ST than I’d be all for it. Since, however, he took up a valuable 40-man roster spot, it means what?
* He is the starting DH?
* The previous DH, Brendan Donovan, now falls back to swiss army knife coming off the bench?
* Alec Burleson, 13 years younger with identical skills that Carp possesses, will now start the season in Memphis or is traded for a reliever or starter?
Trading Burleson is the only move that makes sense at this point.
Craviduce
There’s a thought there with Donovan. He had his surgery….maybe he’s not ready to return?
I’m grasping at straws here, so forgive me. That might help explain the MCarp signing.
I don’t know.
meangreandancingmachine
It seems weird to me that the Cards would go with youth with Ivan Herrera but not go with youth with Alex Burleson.
BradBaar
Donovan has uploaded many videos with him having great workouts – he’s fine and won’t be limited. Tommy, on the other hand, that’s a different story.
Eatdust666
Matt Carpenter every year since 2018, his last good full year (hit .257 with 36 home runs and 81 runs batted in and finished 9th in the NL MVP voting):
2019: .226/.334/.392/.726 92 OPS+ 15 home runs 46 runs batted in (mediocre)
2020: .186/.325/.314/.640 79 OPS+ 4 home runs 24 runs batted in (trash)
2021: .169/.305/.275/.581 63 OPS+ 3 home runs 21 runs batted in (even worse)
2022: .305/.412/.727/1.138 216 OPS+ 15 home runs and 37 runs batted in (Bonds-esque in a small sample size but with more strikeouts than walks)
2023: .176/.322/.319/.641 81 OPS+ 5 home runs and 31 runs batted in (trash, closer to 2020 than 2021)
headhawks
What did I just hear?
New signing for the cardinals?
They sign Stan Musial to one year deal ! They dig up his bones and place them on bench. This is so others can learn from him as to what it’s like to slowly decay. Just like StL franchise is doing now.
TrumboRedux
Headhawks, Utterly sick joke but the “slowly decay” part admittingly gave me a chuckle.
JoeBrady
It’s a beautiful thought. You probably already know the stats, but they are worth looking at for those of us that know he is a HOF player, but not overly familiar with him.
And y’all need to lobby for Boyer to get in. I think he is deserving.
Fivehead
Bring back Vince Coleman!
TrumboRedux
Fivehead, If we wanna be 90% serious about all this let’s just bring back Ichiro. That guy is still in playing shape and then some!
Fivehead
80%. Bring back McGriff. My favorite player. Let him get his 500th home run.
Fivehead
Hell, buy a season ticket you get to bat once. . That’d answer our bench problems and revenue. Two birds, one stone.
TrumboRedux
Fivehead, That is totally OK as well…But if we do that, we gotta bring back Tim Salmon and Andres Gallaraga to get #300 and #400!
akredbirds
This has to be the most indefensible signing this season and one of the worst in Cardinals history. What a joke this front office is. He had a period of time when he was valuable because he grinded at bats. But that’s long passed and he has always been a below average fielder and one of the worst base runners ever. No conception of any nuances of the game. Please don’t let him try and help the younger guys..But I don’t blame him. I blame management for the signing.
Chris2215
I really don’t understand this signing, and it’s nothing against Carp. The only thing I can figure is that the Cards clubhouse was an absolute dumpster fire after the O’Neill and Contreras fiascos and they need vocal leadership in there. Goldy and Nado are leaders by example but not very vocal types. For those that have never played any type of serious (Above HS level) sport, the clubhouse/locker room is sacred and a lot of personal business is aired out in there. If it’s not dealt with head on and is allowed to fester, it will eat a team to pieces. My thoughts is that’s what happened last season. Add in the fact that Contreras was new, a long with Flaherty’s attitude and that place was a powder keg. No one wants to go to work like that
Charlie'sSinging
Marmol has definitely convinced Mo that was the problem. Wasn’t a problem for his predecessors, but apparently they would have won the WS with Marmol as manager if they had bad players with good attitudes.
Krr104
Oh really? Do you have first hand info on what the clubhouse environment was like? You know there was no leader? They have no vocal leaders? You know nothing about it, only speculation based on your supposed glory days.
Yanksfan1030
Carpenter has really capitalized on a fluke comeback in 2021.
sillywabbit
What is a fair trade for the Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert. One for one prospect/player?
DFAed in Gaffa
Matt Carpenter!
Rantucky
Logan Gilbert for 1.Jordan Walker or 2.Nolan Gorman. Problem is Cards brass overvalue most of the time and will not trade Walker or Gorman. I’m not convinced that there’s a place in the field for Walker, probably 1st base would be best for him. His outfield diving is going to get him injured imo.
DFAed in Gaffa
Let’s hope the Cards get Yankee Matt Carpenter. He was always a guy who had to have his head right. I remember one time the Cards left him in St. Louis while on a short road trip and told him not to touch a bat because they thought he was dealing with mental exhaustion.
Matthew8736
They wont get Yankee Matt Carpenter because they won’t be playing in Yankee stadium with the short right field.
Charlie'sSinging
He had 13 hits in his last 65 ABs for the Yankees. That’s bad, and that’s who he has been since mid-July of 2022. Waste of a roster spot they needed for a RP. If they wanted a bat, there are better bats in the minors who can also play defense.
BradBaar
If Moe doesn’t have dementia, I’ll eat my hat. I’m serious, it’s the only thing that can possibly explain such a ridiculous signing.
DFAed in Gaffa
They can always release him if he doesn’t hit in spring training. But, yes, they’re giving up a roster spot when they shouldn’t be.
THEY LIVE!!!
Wow!!! This is HUGE!!!
THEY LIVE!!!
Carpenter should ditch the last name for Bricklayer.
Kutcher
Why not bring Ozzie or Little Mac (Joe McEwing) back? Just disappointed.
THEY LIVE!!!
Goldy to the Yankees for Clay Holmes. Carpenter to play 1B. Maybe they sign Luke Voit too, or use Luken Baker at 1B and Carp at DH?
Whyme
Then the alarm went off
letsholdemandgohome
This is how they choose to fill the last roster spot, when they need at least one more reliever and really need another starter?
An invite to spring training would have made more sense. Why don’t they go sign Steven Piscotty to a 5 year deal while they’re at it.
Here we come fourth place. That would be an improvement over last season.
Matthew8736
Make it make sense!?!?!?
whyhayzee
His parents’ female siblings are Carpenter Aunts.
That’s all I got.
Charlie'sSinging
Mo falls in love with Marmol. Marmol sucked. Marmol convinced Mo it was because of personalities. Mo spends the offseason getting Marmol personalities instead of assembling a winning roster. This should work out well.
CujoMarlin
I’m surprised the article didn’t mention his salsa.
taylor
Nice career and nice touch by the Red Birds to sign him and let him retire in St Louie., probably in March or April.
Zombie Bukowski
Getting paid for nothing – that’s money making, y’all!
LordD99
League minimum. If he doesn’t rebound, then he can retire as a Cardinal. Question is, will he make it through the season before retiring?! There may even be an understanding on the two sides on how this will unfold.
Yankeesforever
Carpenter is too old for his High School reunion, never mind the Cards.
Jason G
I wouldn’t call .275/.379/.613 in 21 games at AAA “tremendous success.” Kind of a small sample size. But good for him.
msqboxer
Meanwhile in Houston..they sign an actual player that will contribute to their team.
b-liv312
Thought they DIDNT want to be last place again.
pearcearrow
The cardinals continue to underwhelm with their actions this off-season
Bounty Hunters IA
Clown franchise with a clown move. Cesspool east missouri gets another addition to the old folks home
larry48
Carpender has been bad for like 5 years, what a stupid signing will be worse than a AAA player. Carpender can’t play defense, run or hit. will he be released before or after the all-star break. Cardinals will be in bottom half of a weak division a below 500 team.
Matthew8736
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes!
Rantucky
DeWitt must have alzheimer’s.
GarryHarris
Who will have a better record; will it be the St. Louis Cardinals or the Kansas City Royals?
protech76
I really Love this move. Felix Jose is 58 and rumblings about him playing independent ball. He should be next to fill in OF instead of DC. We also need Jamie Moyer and his rubber arm to make a comeback to pitch after Sonny Gray. I wonder what Rickey Henderson & Ozzie Canseco are doing now? lol Hopefully you can taste this sarcasm
protech76
Next year we will sign Paul Dejong to make this a full circle!