Matt Carpenter, a three-time National League All-Star who helped the Cardinals reach the deep playoffs in 11 seasons, signed with St. Louis on Friday.
Carpenter, who signed a one-year deal worth $740,000, played for the Cardinals from 2011-21 before spending the past two seasons with the Yankees and Padres. After the 2023 season in which he batted .176 in 76 games, Carpenter was traded from the Padres to the Braves before being released.
Early Friday morning, the Cardinals traded right-handed relief pitcher James Nail to the KIA Tigers of the Korean Baseball Association for cash, creating a spot on their 40-man roster.
Recently, Cardinals President Bill DeWitt Jr. and Director of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak publicly stated that they are considering adding another relief pitcher to the bullpen. However, the club will instead pivot to Carpenter, who will give the club a veteran left-handed hitter off the bench and at times as a designated hitter. He will compete with left-handed outfielder/first baseman Alec Burleson and right-handed slugger Luken Baker for the final spot on the Cardinals’ 26-man active roster.
Carpenter, 38, was named a National League All-Star in 2013, 2014 and 2016 as a member of the Cardinals, and earned NL MVP votes in 2013, 2015 and 2018. He was a member of the Cards’ last World Series team (2013) and St. Louis’ 2011 World Series Championship his season as a rookie in which he appeared in seven games.
“When it comes to players who contributed to our success in the 2000s, Matt Carpenter’s name is synonymous with victory,” Mozeliak said in a release. “Early in his career, Matt showed us how hard work and determination can lead to success, and we are excited to have his leadership and experience back in a Cardinals uniform.”
Carpenter’s career slash line is .260/.367/.451 with 175 home runs, 644 RBIs, 1,225 hits and an .818 OPS in 1,452 MLB games. He led the majors in RBIs (126) and hits (199) in 2013, and his 55 doubles that season were the third-most for a Cardinal and the most on the team for a left-handed hitter.
Carpenter is the Cardinals’ all-time leader in leadoff home runs with 24. He ranks sixth in team history in walks (699) and eighth in game-winning RBIs (73). He has six home runs in 50 playoff games with the Cardinals. His most memorable outburst came from Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw in Game 1 of the 2014 NLDS, igniting a rally in the Cardinals’ 10-9 come-from-behind victory at Dodger Stadium. .