SAN DIEGO – The Padres got the left-handed hitter they were looking for.
Matt Carpenter reached a contract with San Diego on Tuesday through the 2023 season, with a player option for 2024, the club announced. Monetary terms were not announced, but a source told MLB.com that Carpenter will make $6 million, plus $6 million if he exercises his option. The deal includes production bonuses that could bring its value to $21 million.
Carpenter will certainly have a utility role in San Diego, where he can play first base, left field, right field, designated hitter, and even second and third base.
When it looked like his career was over before the start of 2022, Carpenter bounced back in a big way. He hit .360 with a 1.406 OPS and 13 home runs in his first 30 games with the Yankees. He had a slump after the All-Star break and was sidelined for the final two months of the regular season with a broken left foot. He was able to bounce back in the postseason, but went 1-for-12 with nine strikeouts between the SDLA and ALCS.
The 12-year veteran finished the season hitting .305/.412/.727 with 15 home runs and 37 RBIs in 47 games.
