Matt Carpenter is making a return to the St. Louis Cardinals, having agreed on Friday to a one-year contract. The deal is for the $740,000 major league minimum, which will be offset against his guaranteed $5.5 million salary as part of a two-year, $12 million contract he signed with the San Diego Padres in December 2022.
Carpenter, a first baseman and occasional outfielder, had been traded to the Atlanta Braves last month, along with $1.5 million, before being released by the Braves three days later. With this move, Carpenter costs the Braves $3.26 million, the Padres $1.5 million, and the Cardinals $740,000.
Cardinals President of Baseball Operations, John Mozeliak, expressed excitement about Carpenter’s return, stating, “Matt showed from the very beginning of his career how hard work and determination can lead to success, and we are excited to have his leadership and experience back in a Cardinals uniform.”
A three-time All-Star (2013, 2014, 2016), Carpenter boasts a .260 career batting average with 175 home runs and 644 RBI for the Cardinals, New York Yankees, and Padres. While his recent performance saw him hit .176 with five homers and 31 RBI, he had limited at-bats from July 1 onward and did not play after September 10 due to right elbow inflammation.