(Surprise) Veteran infielder Matt Carpenter has signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.
Posted at 9:48 p.m.
The Rangers, who sent the Yankees what should have been their third baseman, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, therefore opted to offer a chance to veteran Carpenter on Saturday.
The move comes two days after the acquisition of utility player Brad Miller, who has played at every position since the start of his career. Miller signed a two-year contract worth $10 million.
At 36, Carpenter enjoyed an 11-year Major League Baseball career with the St. Louis Cardinals, making three All-Star appearances. If he breaks into the Rangers roster, he will earn a salary of two million US dollars.
The Cards bought out Carpenter’s contract for US$2 million rather than paying him US$18.5 million in 2022.
Last season, his batting average dropped to .169. He hit three homers and drove in 21 runs in 130 games. In the previous season, cut short due to the pandemic, he hit .186 with four home runs and 24 RBIs in 50 games.