ST. LOUIS (AP) — Matt Carpenter has signed a one-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals from 2011-21. The deal is for the $740,000 major league minimum, which will offset his guaranteed $5.5 million salary from a $12 million, two-year contract signed with San Diego in December 2022.
“When it comes to players who shaped our success in the 2000s, Matt Carpenter’s name is synonymous with winning,” Cardinals president of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak said in a statement. “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, a first baseman and occasional outfielder, was traded to Atlanta last month for $1.5 million and then dismissed three days later. Carpenter ultimately costs the Cardinals $740,000, the Padres $1.5 million, and the Braves $3.26 million.
Carpenter was an All-Star in 2013, ’14, and 2016. He had a.260 career batting average with 175 home runs and 644 RBIs for the Cardinals, Yankees, and Padres. He hit.176 with five home runs and 31 RBIs, but had only 50 at-bats after July 1. Carpenter did not play following September 10 due to right elbow soreness.
