St. Louis – The St. Louis Cardinals have reached a one-year agreement with former Cardinals All-Star Matt Carpenter for the 2024 season. Carpenter, 38, who joined the team in 2009 and made his debut in 2011, was a three-time All-Star during his 11-year tenure with the Cardinals. He received National League MVP votes in 2013, 2015, and 2018.
According to Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak, Carpenter played a pivotal role in the team’s success in the 2000s. His hard work and determination have made him a valuable addition to the Cardinals’ roster once again.
Throughout his career, Carpenter, a left-handed hitter, has compiled impressive statistics with a .260 batting average, .367 on-base percentage, and .451 slugging percentage. He has hit 175 home runs, driven in 644 runs, and recorded 1,225 hits. Carpenter led the majors in runs, hits, and doubles in 2013, and he holds the record for the most doubles in a single season by a left-handed batter in Cardinals history.
Carpenter was part of the Cardinals’ World Series-winning team in 2013 and also played seven games during their championship season in 2011. After leaving St. Louis in 2022, Carpenter had a strong start with the New York Yankees in 2022 before an injury sidelined him. He spent the 2023 season with the San Diego Padres, where he finished strong in limited playing time.
Carpenter was then traded to the Atlanta Braves during the Winter Meetings and was subsequently released, becoming a free agent.
Carpenter’s name is etched on several all-time Cardinals leaderboards, including the most career lead-off home runs and the most single-season lead-off home runs in 2018. He ranks among the top players in base-on-balls and game-winning RBI. Additionally, his 68 career home runs at Busch Stadium III tie him with Yadier Molina for the fourth-most in stadium history.
Having appeared in 56 postseason games with the Cardinals, Carpenter’s six playoff home runs are among the highest in the team’s history. One notable highlight includes a memorable blast off Clayton Kershaw in Game 1 of the 2014 NLDS at Dodger Stadium, which jump-started the Cardinals’ comeback win. Carpenter has also made six Opening Day starts at third base for the Cardinals, and his 671 career games at the “hot corner” are the third-most in team history.