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 Submit-Dispatch that he’s keen to return subsequent yr, even when it’s within the part-time function he’s had in 2024.
“I’m actually open to play,” Carpenter mentioned. “I like this function. I feel contemplating the function, I really feel like I’ve executed properly in it, and I additionally assume, extra importantly, I perceive the larger image of it. I’d be open to doing it once more.”
Carpenter signed a one-year take care of 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 issues for minor league outfielder Drew Campbell, however principally to do away with some cash. Atlanta took on a bit of that wage to get Kerr in that deal, rapidly 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 instances in 54 appearances this yr. He has struck out 31.5% of the time and drawn walks at a 9.6% clip. That stroll charge is above league common however each of these charges are profession worsts for Carpenter personally. He has hit 4 dwelling 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 will not be a ton of curiosity there. He was a powerful 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 damage. The Padres believed within the bounceback sufficient to present him a two-year deal, together with the aforementioned participant possibility, however the first yr didn’t go properly they usually despatched him packing after that.
Carpenter can maybe deliver different components to the desk in a much less tangible vogue, serving as a mentor and clubhouse chief. However given his numbers, he could also be restricted to minor league gives or maybe a veteran sage function 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 taking part in. We’ll see what that appears like. I’m open to doing this function once more. I’m open to only a variety of issues. We’ll see.”
