St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals are already contenders after winning 91 games and the NL Central title last season but they could use another postseason-tested arm in their rotation to be considered a serious World Series threat.
Matt Carpenter‘s production fell off a cliff in his age 33 season when he hit .226 with a below-average 91 OPS+ in 129 games. The previous year saw him set career-highs with 36 home runs and a 143 OPS+ though. Is he suffering from drastic age-related decline or was this simply an exaggerated hiccup on the downward slope of his career?
Betting on some positive regression wouldn’t be a terrible idea for the Red Sox if it helps them save salary. The versatile infielder could be Boston’s solution at either first or second base, depending on which position they prefer to stick Michael Chavis. Carpenter can also fill in occasionally a third base if Rafael Devers needs a breather.
Carpenter is owed $18.5 million in each of the next two years plus a $2 million buyout on his 2022 vesting option. Boston would save $12.5 million in each of the next two seasons for tax purposes and they potentially clear the contract from their books a year earlier than Price’s deal expires.