The St. Louis Cardinals announced a reunion with veteran first baseman Matt Carpenter on Friday. Carpenter, who started his career with the Cardinals and played a decade with the franchise, signed a one-year deal.
Carpenter played 76 games last season as a member of the San Diego Padres. He batted .176 with five home runs and 31 RBIs.
The 38-year-old player will reportedly earn $740,000, which is an MLB veteran minimum, in 2024. However, he will receive an additional $4.76 million owed to him for the upcoming season by the Atlanta Braves.
Ahead of the 2023 MLB season, Carpenter signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Padres. His struggles at the plate prompted the San Diego team to trade him to the Braves, who released him just three years later.
During his first stint with the Cardinals, Carpenter made three All-Star appearances and won a Silver Slugger Award in 2013. For his career, which also included a one-year stint with the New York Yankees, Carpenter has a .260 batting average, 1,225 hits, 175 homers, and 644 RBIs.
“When you think of players that helped shape our success in the 2000s, Matt Carpenter’s name is one that is synonymous with winning,” Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said in a statement shared by the team. “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.”
