Veteran Matt Carpenter is winding down his 14th large league season however isn’t essentially going to cease there. He tells Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Put up-Dispatch that he’s prepared to return subsequent yr, even when it’s within the part-time position he’s had in 2024.
“I’m definitely open to play,” Carpenter mentioned. “I like this position. I believe contemplating the position, I really feel like I’ve accomplished effectively in it, and I additionally suppose, extra importantly, I perceive the larger image of it. I’d be open to doing it once more.”
Carpenter signed a one-year cope with the Playing cards for 2024, his age-38 season. He started the winter beneath contract to the Padres, triggering a $5.5MM participant possibility. San Diego traded him to Atlanta alongside Ray Kerr and a few money concerns for minor league outfielder Drew Campbell, however principally to eliminate some cash. Atlanta took on a piece of that wage to get Kerr in that deal, shortly releasing Carpenter, which allowed the Playing cards to signal him for the league minimal.
Round a few injured record stints, one for a proper indirect pressure and the opposite for a decrease again pressure, Carpenter has stepped to the plate 146 occasions in 54 appearances this yr. He has struck out 31.5% of the time and drawn walks at a 9.6% clip. That stroll fee is above league common however each of these charges are profession worsts for Carpenter personally. He has hit 4 residence runs and his .236/.317/.378 batting line results in a 97 wRC+, indicating he has been only a bit beneath league common general.
Most of that has come as a chosen hitter or pinch hitter. His defensive contributions for the yr have consisted of eight innings at first base, one at second base and three at third. Each FanGraphs and Baseball Reference grade his season simply barely beneath substitute stage.
Strictly trying on the on-field efficiency, there is probably not a ton of curiosity there. He was a robust participant for the Cardinals from 2012 to 2018 however hasn’t been above common on the plate for a prolonged stretch since then. After worsening struggles from 2019 to 2021, he tried revamping his swing and re-emerged with a vengeance in 2022. He put up a monster line of .305/.412/.727 with the Yankees that yr, although in solely 47 video games. He didn’t get his shot till a few months into the season after which had his comeback shortened by harm. The Padres believed within the bounceback sufficient to provide him a two-year deal, together with the aforementioned participant possibility, however the first yr didn’t go effectively they usually despatched him packing after that.
Carpenter can maybe deliver different components to the desk in a much less tangible trend, serving as a mentor and clubhouse chief. However given his numbers, he could also be restricted to minor league provides or maybe a veteran sage position on a rebuilding membership.
“Going to cross that bridge after we get there,” Carpenter mentioned to Goold of his offseason market. “I’m open to enjoying. We’ll see what that appears like. I’m open to doing this position once more. I’m open to simply a number of issues. We’ll see.”
