Matt Carpenter Returns to St. Louis Cardinals on One-Year Deal

Veteran Infielder to Serve as Bench Bat and Mentor, Sparking Mixed Reactions Among Fans

Matt Carpenter, a three-time All-Star and former Cardinal, is returning to the St. Louis Cardinals on a one-year major-league deal.
The Cardinals will pay Carpenter, 38, the major-league minimum ($740,000) with the Atlanta Braves footing the remainder of the $5.5 million owed on the two-year contract he signed with the San Diego Padres before the 2023 season.
Carpenter will not compete for a starting role. Instead, the utility infielder will be a bench bat or platoon-type player while serving as a mentor to the younger position players.
Carpenter's return has sparked a range of reactions, from excitement to skepticism, with some fans expressing disappointment and concern over the team's focus on nostalgia over winning strategies.
Carpenter's recent performance has been a subject of scrutiny, with his 2023 season with the Padres, where he posted a .176 batting average with five home runs and 31 RBIs, raising concerns about his ability to deliver at a consistent level.