photo: John Mozeliak media Zoom session, January 19, 2024
St. Louis Cardinals press release
The St. Louis Cardinals announced today (Friday, January 19) that they have agreed on a one-year free-agent contract with former Cardinals All-Star Matt Carpenter for the upcoming 2024 season.
Carpenter, 38, who was drafted by St. Louis in 2009 and debuted in 2011, was a three-time All-Star (2013, 2014 & 2016) during his 11-year Cardinals tenure, and garnered National League MVP votes in 2013, 2015 and 2018.
“When you think of players that helped shape our success in the 2000s, Matt Carpenter’s name is one that is synonymous with winning,” stated Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak. “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.”
The left-handed hitting Carpenter has compiled a .260/.367/.451 slash line over his career (1,452 games) with 175 HR’s, 644 RBI, 1,225 hits and an .818 OPS. He led the majors in runs (126), hits (199) and doubles (55) in 2013 – the 3rd-most single-season two-baggers by a Cardinal, and the team’s most ever by a left-handed batter.
Carpenter was a member of the Cardinals last World Series team (2013) and appeared in seven games as a rookie during the Cardinals 2011 World Championship season.
After leaving St. Louis in 2022, Carpenter enjoyed a strong start with the Yankees that year, batting .305 with a 1.138 OPS and 15 HR’s in his 47 games before being injured. He spent 2023 with San Diego and finished strong in limited play, compiling a .974 OPS and .500 on-base pct. over the season’s final two months. He was dealt to Atlanta during last month’s Winter Meetings, and was then granted his release, becoming a free-agent.
Carpenter’s name dots several leader boards among all-time Cardinals including the most career (24) and single-season (8, 2018) lead-off home runs. He’s ranked 6th all-time among Cardinals in base-on-balls (699) and 8th in game-winning RBI (73). His 68 career home runs at Busch Stadium III are tied with Yadier Molina for 4th-most in stadium history.
Appearing in 56 postseason games with St. Louis, Carpenter’s six playoff round-trippers are tied for 5th-most in club annals, including a memorable blast off Clayton Kershaw that jump-started the Cardinals 10-9 comeback win in Game 1 of the 2014 NLDS at Dodger Stadium. “Carp” has made six Opening Day starts at third base for St. Louis, and his 671 career games at the “hot corner” for the Cardinals are 3rd-most in team history.
Related transaction – Brian Walton’s take
In a corresponding move which created a 40-man roster spot for Carpenter, the contract of reliever James Naile was sold to the Kia Tigers of the Korean Baseball Organization. According to the team, the Cardinals received $250,000 and Naile will earn $700,000 in 2024.
The right-hander made 10 relief appearances for St. Louis in 2023 but surrendered 15 earned runs and nine walks against just seven strikeouts across 10 appearances covering 15 1/3 innings. Including his nine innings from 2022 and the 30-year-old logged a 7.40 ERA in 17 career MLB appearances.
With Memphis, Naile was much better, with a 3.66 ERA in 31 appearances. He received The Cardinal Nation’s recognition as the system-wide Relief Pitcher of the Year for 2023. Last October, the Cape Girardeau native had been designated for assignment but remained in the organization and rejoined the 40-man roster in May. During 2023, Naile was a regular on the I-55 Shuttle as he was called up from Memphis six times and optioned out five times.
With Carpenter having been released by Atlanta, the Braves are on the hook for the vast majority of his prior 2024 contract commitment of $5.5 million, leaving only the MLB minimum salary of $740,000 for the Cardinals to cover. That is comparable to what the Cardinals’ prior 26th man (whoever you believe him to have been) would have received.
At this point, St. Louis’ four-man bench appears to be Carpenter, reserve catcher Ivan Herrera, fourth outfielder Dylan Carlson and perhaps a reserve shortstop such as Jose Fermin.
The player most affected by the Carpenter signing could be outfielder Alec Burleson. An alternative would be if the team allows starting center fielder Tommy Edman to be the reserve shortstop, then perhaps Burleson can make the team over Fermin.
Quotes from Mozeliak media Zoom
Mozeliak met with the media electronically on Friday afternoon. Here are selected remarks.
“Matt Carpenter was someone that we were always fond of when he was here. And, as we were looking at our club right now, we definitely wanted to try to find somebody with some experience who’s been through some things and speaking with (manager) Oli (Marmol) and his group, we thought this would be a pretty good fit.”
Mozeliak said that Carpenter “understands St. Louis and understands where he is in his career.” “And he is not where he once was.” The reference is to Carpenter’s expected role coming off the bench.
Working with Matt Holliday has led to Carpenter getting his bat speed back and increasing his exit velocity.
In response to another question, he said could see both Carpenter and left-handed hitting outfielder Alec Burleson on the roster, but did not go into detail. Mozeliak did add that Carpenter is coming in with the mindset to earn more at-bats. (BW comment: Those additional at-bats would have to come from someone.)
Mozeliak noted there were “missing voices” in last year’s clubhouse. Asked if Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado requested more leadership, Mozeliak said, “My relationship with those guys is always to understand what they’re thinking, what they’re hearing. And so that was part of it.”
Asked about Carpenter’s role, Mozeliak replied, “I think part of it is leadership by example. But I also think part of it is the ability to speak up when you see something. Last year, I think a lot of that was falling on Goldy and I just think that’s pretty demanding.”
The PBO said he hoped Carpenter could retire as a Cardinal.
He replied that he does not know if the Cardinals are done with acquisitions this offseason. He said they are “paying attention to the market”.
I asked about the Naile circumstances. Mozeliak said the Cardinals were approached by the South Korean team two weeks ago. They were interested in Naile and several pitchers in other organizations. Naile had his physical the Sunday of Winter Warm-Up and after the Kia Tigers reviewed the results, the transaction was finalized Thursday night.
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