Former Cardinals star signs with the Yankees

Former St. Louis Cardinals All-Star infielder Matt Carpenter has found a new home with the New York Yankees as a free agent.

Matt Carpenter is heading back to the major leagues after signing a contract with the New York Yankees.

The longtime Cardinals as playing on a minor league deal in the Rangers organization this season. After he was released, the Yankees swooped in to give him a major league contract, per Robert Murray of FanSided.

At 36 years old, Carpenter is not the hitter he was in the first half of his career when he earned three All-Star nods. Before St. Louis bought him out following the 2021 season, he batted .169/.305/.275.

Batting in Triple-A this year, he’s .275/.379/.613 with an OPS of .991. That was proof enough to the Yankees that the lefty may still have something left to give at the plate.

Former Cardinals star Matt Carpenter signed with the Yankees

Carpenter has played just about every position in his 11 seasons. While primarily serving as a third baseman, he has more than 300 games of experience at first base and over 200 games at second. He’s also made 51 appearances as an outfielder.

That kind of versatile experience is exactly why New York picked him up.

“I told them, if they want me to load the bags on the plane, I’ll do it,” Carpenter said per Bryan Hoch of MLB.

Third baseman Josh Donaldson is on the COVID IL while DJ Mahieu has been dealing with a wrist injury. Meanwhile, Giancarlo Stanton is out with an ankle injury.

Carpenter’s presence will give New York some flexibility to deal with this rash of injuries and any others that may arrive this season.