Infielder/outfielder Matt Carpenter has been signed by the Padres for the 2023 season through a one-year contract that was announced by the President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller on December 20th, 2022. The contract also includes a player option for the 2024 season.
Carpenter, who is 37 years old, had an impressive .305 batting average with the New York Yankees in 2022, hitting nine doubles, 15 home runs, 19 walks, 37 RBI, and 28 runs in the 47 games he played. He began the season playing for Triple-A Round Rock in the Texas Rangers organization but was released on May 19th, and later signed with the Yankees on May 26th. Carpenter made history by becoming the first player in Yankee history to hit 14 homers within his first 29 hits, joining just two other players in the Modern Era. He also led the big leagues in OPS and slugging percentage among all players in 2022 with at least 150 plate appearances overall.
Carpenter has had a successful career with his 12 Major League seasons, posting a .263 average with a .369 on-base percentage, 310 doubles, 28 triples, 170 home runs, 613 RBI, 780 runs scored, and 718 walks in 1,376 career games between the St. Louis Cardinals and Yankees. A three-time All-Star, Carpenter won the NL Silver Slugger award in 2013 and finished fourth in NL MVP voting that year. His 24 leadoff home runs with the Cardinals are the most in franchise history, and his 25 leadoff home runs overall are tied for the sixth-most among active players.
Carpenter's versatility and experience make him a valuable addition to the Padres, and his signing could provide a boost to the team's performance in the 2023 season.
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