The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have agreed to a six-year contract extension with All-Star infielder Matt Carpenter that will keep Carpenter in a Cardinals uniform through at least the 2019 season. The new pact also includes a club option for 2020. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement that insures Matt will remain a Cardinal on a long-term basis,” said Cardinals Chairman Bill DeWitt, Jr. “He is an All-Star caliber player, and an integral part of the nucleus of this club which we feel can continue to contend for championships in 2014 and beyond.”
Carpenter, 28, took over as the Cardinals regular second baseman and lead-off man last season, and in addition to being selected for the 2013 All-Star team by his peers, he was honored with theLouisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award as voted on by National League managers and coaches and finished fourth in the N.L.’s Most Valuable Player voting. His .318 batting average ranked 5th among all National League players, while he led the majors in runs scored (126), hits (199), doubles (55) and multi-hit games (63). His 55 doubles were the most ever by a Cardinals second baseman and set the franchise record for a left-handed batter, breaking Stan Musial’s mark of 53 in 1953.
“Matt has inserted himself as a leader in the Cardinals clubhouse with his dedication and work ethic serving as a fine example to everyone,” stated Cardinals Senior Vice President/ General ManagerJohn Mozeliak. “His commitment to switching to a new position last season (second base), resulting in an All-Star season and Silver Slugger Award, proved once again what kind of person and player that Matt is.”
Carpenter hit .388 with runners in scoring position last season and his 69 RBI from the lead-off position were the most by a Cardinals #1 batter since Lou Brock had 76 in 1967. Of his league-best 199 hits, 112 came at home, establishing a Busch Stadium III single-season hits record.
Carpenter was a 13th round selection by St. Louis in the June 2009 free-agent draft out of Texas Christian University. The Prosper, Texas native climbed quickly through the Cardinals minor league system, making his Major League debut on June 4, 2011 at Wrigley Field. He batted .294 in 2012 over 114 games, showing his versatility by filling in at first, second and third base as well as the outfield.
Carpenter joins Allen Craig, Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina among the team’s star players who have signed recent contract extensions that carry thru 2017 or beyond.
