Braves Acquire Matt Carpenter and Ray Kerr from Padres

Despite Carpenter's Poor 2023 Season, Braves Take on $4M of His Salary for Kerr

Atlanta Braves acquired three-time All-Star Matt Carpenter and left-handed pitcher Ray Kerr from the San Diego Padres in exchange for minor-league outfielder Drew Campbell.
Carpenter, who had a resurgent year with the Yankees in 2022, struggled with the Padres in 2023, batting just .176 in 76 games.
Despite his poor performance, the Braves took on $4 million of Carpenter’s $5.5 million salary for 2023 to obtain Kerr in the deal.
Kerr, who has made 29 relief appearances for the Padres over the last two seasons, is expected to bolster the Braves' bullpen.
The trade is part of a pattern for the Braves, who also acquired and then flipped pitcher Marco Gonzales and catcher Max Stassi earlier this offseason.