Matt Carpenter, Cards reach 2-year extension
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Re: Matt Carpenter, Cards reach 2-year extension
The Cards spent 37 million to get -0.2 WAR for Carpenter so far for these 2 years of this deal. If the Cardinals didn't give Carpenter this contract they would've probably been able to keep Wong.
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Re: Matt Carpenter, Cards reach 2-year extension
Mozeliak on Cardinals' Carpenter conundrum
“With the outfield coming back, you could see limited at-bats (for Carpenter) moving forward,” Mozeliak said. “I don’t think that’s a line that we have to cross today. Over the next seven to 14 days, it is going to have a way of playing itself out. You are trying to give someone an opportunity to get going. But as players become healthy and get back active on this roster, those at-bats are going to be more difficult to find if production isn’t there.”
He described the searching Carpenter as “wedded” to one version of his swing and connected dots between the hitter’s usual approach against the shift — continuing to hit into it while trying to hit over it — as the definition of insanity. He absolved Cardinals hitting coaches from the conversation when asked if they should be helping Carpenter make changes. And then, after suggesting multiple times that Carpenter diversify his game, Mozeliak found himself hinting there is no guarantee attempted changes would work.
Through a series of questions and answers Mozeliak painted the picture baseball is seeing more and more these days, one of a left-handed pull hitter with power who has been disarmed and deflated by extreme defensive shifts they either cannot or will not shake.
“Look, you can only build a line of reasoning for so long,” Mozeliak said. “At some point in this game you are truly measured on what you do. There is that old saying. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But if something isn’t working, maybe you need to try to make some adjustments. I do appreciate the fact he is making hard contact. I do appreciate the fact he’s trying to remain positive in this. But, to some level, you’ve got to see production out of that. And so, hopefully his fortunes change, because it would help our lineup, and help our team. But, you know, at some point it’s going to be hard to be doing the same thing over and over again.”
Carpenter entered Friday’s game with the eighth-most at-bats on the team (37) and had spent the bulk of them (19) hitting in the No. 5 spot, ahead of every-day options. Appealing analytical signs cited often by manager Mike Shildt, such as an average exit velocity of 95.4 mph that ranked in the top 4 percent of the league and a barrel percentage that ranked in the top 1 percent, continued to be betrayed by the actual on-field results that determine the standings the Cardinals are sagging in.
“How do you get somebody going — or get back on track?” Mozeliak said. “Clearly, if you are not playing, it’s really difficult to do. There are only so many things you can do in the batting cage, only so many things you can do to try to replicate before a game. But you have to start seeing something happen on the field. I would imagine as we get healthier, it’s going to be harder to find at-bats unless production changes.”
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Re: Matt Carpenter, Cards reach 2-year extension
Translation.... "He's not a good hitter anymore and we cant wait to stop paying him. We thank him for his service."
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Re: Matt Carpenter, Cards reach 2-year extension
There is almost no chance of Marp reaching 550 PA's this season. Even with as much as he's played thus far, he's on pace for ~380.cardsfantx wrote: ↑April 25 21, 9:27 amLol then they need to stop playing him so much, or his option will kick in based on PA, and they’ll go through this again next year
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Re: Matt Carpenter, Cards reach 2-year extension
I think this is a testament to how you treat a veteran. They gave Marp every reasonable chance to succeed and now Moz is signalling the chances are coming to an end in a way that still respects him. I'm fine with how the Cards handled the situation (as long as they follow through here).Popeye_Card wrote: ↑April 25 21, 11:37 amThere is almost no chance of Marp reaching 550 PA's this season. Even with as much as he's played thus far, he's on pace for ~380.cardsfantx wrote: ↑April 25 21, 9:27 amLol then they need to stop playing him so much, or his option will kick in based on PA, and they’ll go through this again next year
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Re: Matt Carpenter, Cards reach 2-year extension
Yeah, the team has been classy about it and given him a bazillion chances to find his swing. But with O'Neil back and Bader on the way, Tommy Edman should be starting at 2B every day so he can get established as our everyday starting 2B. That is why we let Wong go after all, no?Joe Shlabotnik wrote: ↑April 25 21, 12:34 pmI think this is a testament to how you treat a veteran. They gave Marp every reasonable chance to succeed and now Moz is signalling the chances are coming to an end in a way that still respects him. I'm fine with how the Cards handled the situation (as long as they follow through here).Popeye_Card wrote: ↑April 25 21, 11:37 amThere is almost no chance of Marp reaching 550 PA's this season. Even with as much as he's played thus far, he's on pace for ~380.cardsfantx wrote: ↑April 25 21, 9:27 amLol then they need to stop playing him so much, or his option will kick in based on PA, and they’ll go through this again next year
Marp is done.
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Re: Matt Carpenter, Cards reach 2-year extension
He'll hit .240/.360/.440 for the Rays next year.
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Re: Matt Carpenter, Cards reach 2-year extension
When Bader is ready to return they need to put Carp on waivers. Demoting anyone else makes no sense at this point.