Cardinals bring back Carpenter on 1-year contract
Matt Carpenter is going back to where it all started.
The St. Louis Cardinals and the veteran infielder agreed to a one-year contract, the club announced Friday.
Carpenter will earn $740,000 in 2024, a source told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. The Atlanta Braves will be responsible for the remainder of Carpenter's $5.5 million for next season.
Carpenter spent the first 11 seasons of his career with the Cardinals, making three All-Star appearances and winning a Silver Slugger in 2013.
"When you think of players that helped 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, according to The Athletic's Katie Woo.
"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."
Carpenter struggled in 2023 as a member of the San Diego Padres, registering a .641 OPS with five home runs and 31 RBIs across 76 games.
The 38-year-old was traded to the Braves on Dec. 15 before they released him three days later.
Carpenter is a .260/.367/.451 hitter with 175 home runs and 644 RBIs over his 13-season career.