After struggling in both 2019 and 2020, Matt Carpenter has reshaped his offseason training routine in advance of what he considers to be a make-or-break year or perhaps even his final year in the big leagues, Carpenter tells Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Carpenter’s contract with the Cardinals is up after the 2021 season, unless he records at least 550 plate appearances to trigger an $18.5MM vesting option for 2022. “As far as guarantees, this is the last guaranteed trip to spring training, period, for me. Maybe for any baseball team, let alone St. Louis,” Carpenter said. “I think about that, and that’s why I say it’s such an important season for me personally. And that’s not even to say whether I want to play past this season. I just want to finish strong.”
Carpenter is entering his age-35 season, and he is likely correct in guessing that another tough year will greatly lessen his chances at anything beyond a low-cost MLB contract or even a minor league deal next winter. Carpenter finished ninth in NL MVP voting as recently as 2018, but has since hit .216/.332/.372 over 661 plate appearances in 2019-20. Between the Cardinals’ COVID-19 outbreak and the compressed schedule of make-up games once they returned to play, Carpenter didn’t feel the 2020 season was “a fair representation, hitting or pitching, good or bad” for the entire club. Still, Carpenter knows he needs to get on track, saying “the last two seasons, in my eyes, our offense has been about a bat short….I have basically been the one bat missing. I put a lot of the responsibility for the offensive woes the past two seasons on myself.”
More from the NL Central…
- As rumors swirl about Kris Bryant trade talks between the Cubs and Mets, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports (via Twitter) that Chicago has a particular interest in Mets catching prospect Francisco Alvarez. Currently ranked by MLB Pipeline as the 58th-best prospect in all of baseball, it isn’t surprising that the Cubs (and probably many other teams) would like to have Alvarez in their farm system, particularly if Willson Contreras might also soon be dealt away from Wrigleyville. In regards to a Bryant trade, it seems unlikely that New York would deal Alvarez for just one year of Bryant’s service. Even with James McCann now signed to a four-year deal, Alvarez might still be the Mets’ catcher of the future since he is only 19 years old, so the Mets surely have their eyes on grooming Alvarez to be ready by the time McCann’s contract is up.
- “The Reds were not involved in making any push to acquire Francisco Lindor” before the Indians dealt Lindor to the Mets on Tuesday, MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon writes. Acquiring Lindor to fill their hole at shortstop would’ve been quite the pivot for the Reds, whose offseason focus to this point has largely been on cutting salary, between trading Raisel Iglesias to the Angels, non-tendering Archie Bradley, and being open to trade offers for many high-priced stars. This isn’t to say that Cincinnati might not yet sign a shortstop from amongst the well-known free agent names still on the market, but Lindor was likely a bridge too far, given the prospect cost to pry him away from Cleveland and the likelihood that the Reds wouldn’t be able to sign Lindor to an extension beyond the 2021 season.
- David Eckstein is leaving the Pirates after two years as a special assistant to the baseball operations department, according to Alex Stumpf of DK Pittsburgh Sports (Twitter link). Eckstein made the move in order to spend more time with his family. The former 10-league MLB veteran is best remembered for his role in helping both the 2002 Angels and 2006 Cardinals win the World Series, even capturing Series MVP honors with St. Louis.
I see the Reds trading Suarez to the Nats and moving Moustakas back to 3B. That would free up enough salary for them to keep Gray in the rotation and sign Didi to play SS.
Trade him to nats for a keiboom package then grey to angels for marsh package and Castillo to dodgers a package headliner of Lux or May. Blow it up and start over.
Also reds offered didi a bigger contract than he signed last season. He didn’t take that one and he won’t take one from reds this season either
In no world would the Dodgers give up may or lux for Castillo.
You do realize bot was talking about Luis Castillo?
If they sign DJ I’d be ok with them giving up a package of Lux+
They’d likely give up Lux, not may though.
Why?
I think both are off limits. Gray, Ruiz, Gonsolin would be available.
Kieboom straight up is not getting Susrez and the Nats cupboards are mostly bare to throw more in the deal.
The Angels are not trading Marsh for Sonny Gray when there are several starters available in free agency that will only cost money
The Dodgers don’t trade prospects period. They basically told the Rangers to give them Lance Lynn at the trade deadline last year for low level minor leaguers and the Rangers paying down his salary. The Mookie Betts trade was an exception, not the rule with Friedman and co.
Period! Except for the exception I’m bout to mention in the next line lolz.
Nats can throw in a pitcher and a lotto tic, Gray is better and costs less than anyone not named Bauer. Castillo would be a top 3 in dodgers rotation which is crucial for playoffs and he is cheap and has several years of control left. What dodgers would have gave up for Lynn- is irrelevant of what it’d cost to get Castillo. Also Lux is over rated so they’d be selling high
Dodgers won’t make that trade. They will be more than happy to go into next season with Kershaw, Buehler, Price, Urias, and Gonsolin/May as their rotation
Marsh, Detmers, Jam Jones, Hector Yan for Castillo
Kieboom would slide to 2b, if he was in the trade.
I believe Kieboom would play short and bring Senzel back to second.
The Reds have enough salary room as it is. They are just being cheapskates.
Didn’t Senzel start his career at second?.. could move him there and open up the outfield some.
id be shocked if the Mets still were that interested in Bryant if its going to take a crazy package. they are well set already and they’d be better off preserving some prospect depth.
Catching prospects are always way over rated. That being said cubs are asking for way to much. I think they get it done and it’s for a lesser package
Agreed. There’s no way the Cubs get Francisco Alvarez for Bryant; that’s crazy, a huge overpay. Maybe a couple of lesser prospects: RHP Franklyn Kilome and C/OF Endy Rodriguez? Maybe J.D. Davis gets thrown in? But the two prospects (Kilome and Rodriguez or something like this) and salary relief ($19 million) is probably the best offer the Cubs will get. As is, the Cubs may need to kick in say $4-5 million to make the deal happen, which could mean the Cubs just keep Bryant, because his potential offensive production for 2021 is way more than any offer the Mets would be willing to give.
I agree. I see Davis and lower level prospect for Bryant would be a solid trade. He is owed too much money for a year that no ones know what it is going to look like.
david herrick, you live in texas?
Matt Carpenter’s salsa went bad fast.
“Expired… expired… expired”
“Thanks Aunt Bonnie”
Matt Carpenter needs to find out that there are hits to be had in left and left center, just like when he came up.
David Eckstein is still the man
Yeah sorry to see him leave the Pirates though I understand the reason. I think his brother was at one point a coach with the Pirates too, not sure if he’s still there or not.
I’m not even sure what he did for the Pirates
I dont see the Mets trading Dom Smith or Francisco Alvarez in a deal for Bryant. I could see Nimmo, or Davis, or someone like Baty. Based on the Lindor trade and Bryant’s lack of contract control, it wouldn’t be a top 5 prospect in their system.
The Reds could trade Gray or Castillo to the Rockies for their young studs (Rodgers, Hilliard, Fuentes, and McMahon). The Rockies don’t play them anyway.
And the Rockies won’t pay Gray so that doesn’t work either. And McMahon has been the Rockies regular 2B the last two or three seasons
Play like it’s your last season, Matt, because it probably is. Time waits for no one.
Time is using a sun dial with Nelson Cruz tho..
Time uses a sun dial with Nelson Cruz though..
The Cubs want Alvarez??? After trading Darvish for nothing? This new Cubs Gm isn’t very good at calculating value. Lindor is worth more than Bryant and he didn’t get Alvarez, and we also got cookie lol.
He must be high af to think that’s a fair trade. He is not getting Alvarez or a top 100 prospect of anyone for Bryant.
Exactly
Some trading is like poker, you play the man, not the cards. How much they can get for Bryant depends on how much the other team wants Bryant, regardless of any website value speculation.
I can’t see it either but catching prospects are almost impossible to predict. I wish the cubs would extend Contreras and trade all theirs away.
If Carpenter thinks he has a chance of reaching 550 PA this year, he is on some serious crack..
I agree—- if Carpenter gets 550 at bats this season, it would mean he must start over 2/3’s of the teams regular season games. While I appreciate Carpenters evaluation of himself. If he gets 550 at bats this season, the Cardinals will end the season with a season record of under .500 winning percentage.
No way the Mets even consider trading Alvarez for one year of Bryant.
And the Reds… make me sad.
As someone who follows the Mets system pretty closely, I can say that Alvarez has top 5 prospect in baseball written all over him. He’s very young, but in 2-3 years this guy will be a top prospect. Of course there’s no predicting what can happen but no way I’m trading him for anyone right now.
He is already like in the 50’s no? At his age that’s insane. Obviously some are younger higher ranked but still. He’ll be top 5 before he graduates. Do NOT trade him please.
I agree 100%. He had a small setback by missing the winterball activities this year but the sky’s the limit for him.
to be honest, he might have made a good choice given how many issues the ABL’s had so far.
I’m confused? Is the Mets goal to have a top five prospect at some point in the future, or to win a WS?
You need top prospects so they can graduate to the majors. That’s how you win a WS. Selling the farm to collect the biggest names and contracts often just leads to very expensive mediocrity.
The Cubs already have a top 100 catching prospect in Miguel Amaya
The Mets need to keep Alvarez is a safe. If he’s as good as he’s touted, he’s gold.
I think Eckstein paved the way for Pedroia. The Red Sox waived him foolishly. He went on to have a solid career. I guess they learned that good things can come in small packages.
I think Pedroia and his talent paved the way for Pedroia. Just because they are both short for baseball doesn’t make them comparable. Eckstein was not in Pedroia’s class as a player.
I met Ellis Burks on my 35th birthday in Winter Haven during Spring Training. Good times.
Kris Bryant for Dominic Smith OR JD Davis, Patrick Mazeika and 1 low level prospect.
Dom Smith won’t get moved in a trade for Bryant, based on the Lindor deal. When you calculate their age gap and future offensive outlook, Smith is more valuable.
The Mets love Smith, hard to imagine they’d deal him for a year of a pricey Bryant.
People always seem to lump Smith and Davis together, but there’s a huge gap in value and talent between the two.
we angel fans will always love you, eckstein! have fun with your wife.
The reds are not making any other moves , they need to put Suarez back at ss , Senzel at 2nd ,castellano at 3rd ,mousse at 1st , and dh votto
Castellanos is worse at 3B than he is in RF. Unless the goal is to set the record for worst defense ever this is a terrible idea
I think castellanos days at third are over.
Smart move by Eckstein. Working for the Pirates has to be infuriating.
I’ve never needed a report less than “Reds not in on Lindor.” Hahaha.
Carpenter has played himself out of St.Louis regardless of how he plays next season. Age 35 season he might be out anyway
That’s categorically false. (He wont) but if he has an MVP type season he will easily get 550 at bats. So you’re “regardless of how he plays” statement is just hyperbole.
I can’t see him getting 550 PA’s next season unless he is tearing the cover off the ball or injuries to other players necessitate the need.
And the likelihood of him having an MVP type season is basically zero so who cares?
Oh the who cares comment. Such edge. Dont cut yourself.
Jays should consider Carpenter to play 3B. Offer them Roark. Strictly play Carpenter against RHP. Carp’s D is not good but the kids could use a vet and he could use a more hitter-friendly environment with some depth in the lineup.
That just sounds like going after a more expensive Travis Shaw.
Might sound like it, but it’s not. Shaw was a signing, Carp would be a trade-off.
It’s not just a trade off though. Carpenter is owed $20.5 million if they buyout his contract for 2021. Roark is owed $12 million. That’s an $8.5 million differerence and about $8 million more than any team would likel give Shaw.
Shaw is done as a major leaguer. Carpenter might be done, however this offloads Roark. Jays have a problem with the number of arms to carry, and this alleviates the problem.
An 8.5 mil difference is not an issue for Toronto. That’s money that’s an issue for Pittsburgh. I’m sure that will be balanced by the Cards eat a little or adding a player.
We can’t change Carpenter’s massive salary. Jays gave a league minimum candidate way too much money last year (Shaw). Roark is a bad contract, but this is the result; bad for bad.
Carp also has a complete no trade clause.
I am aware of the 10 and 5. But thanks.
It’s not 10 and 5. It’s in his extension.
He’s still a 10 and 5 regardless. Again, thanks.
He hasn’t reached 10 years service time yet.
Hey Card how bout stop striking out maybe go to with the pitch and use the whole field for a change.
Carp darn spellcheck
Putting the Reds piece is this article must be for filler. Captain Obvious
Ok, was the trade of Lindor to the reds even a rumor because why would they be crying poor and dumping players to pick up an expensive player for one year?
Only way cubs land Dom Smith or Alvarez in a Bryant trade with Mets is if cubs eat a bunch of Bryant’s money or add other players … Bryant/Amaya for Alvarez/JD ,,, Bryant (eat 10 mil) for Dom Smith ..
But they really need to tag Hayward with Bryant and take a worthless return ,, reset it all