In a surprising move, the Atlanta Braves have made the decision to release first baseman Matt Carpenter. Carpenter, who was acquired from the San Diego Padres just last week, is now being let go by the Braves, resulting in a cost of $4 million for the team. The trade between the Braves and Padres involved Carpenter and left-hander Ray Kerr coming to Atlanta in exchange for outfielder Drew Campbell. As part of the agreement, the Padres agreed to pay the Braves $1.5 million to cover a portion of Carpenter’s $5.5 million salary for the upcoming season.
Matt Carpenter, a three-time All-Star during his time with the St. Louis Cardinals, saw a revival in his career in 2022 while playing for the New York Yankees. Taking advantage of the favorable right-field short porch, Carpenter hit an impressive .305 with 15 home runs and 37 RBI. Unfortunately, his season took a turn when he broke his left foot with a foul ball on August 8th. Despite the setback, Carpenter made a return for the postseason, but struggled at the plate, recording just 1 hit in 12 at-bats along with nine strikeouts.
Following his stint with the Yankees, Carpenter signed a $12 million, two-year contract with the Padres. However, his time in San Diego did not live up to expectations. With a batting average of .176, five home runs, and 31 RBI, Carpenter’s performance fell short. Additionally, he had limited playing time, accumulating just 50 at-bats from July 1st onwards. His season came to an early end on September 10th due to right elbow inflammation, preventing him from contributing further to the team.
Aside from parting ways with Matt Carpenter, the Atlanta Braves have also made changes to their broadcast team. The team has hired Rangers analyst C.J. Nitkowski, who previously pitched for the Braves in 2004 and currently resides in suburban Atlanta. Nitkowski will serve as the primary analyst alongside play-by-play broadcaster Brandon Gaudin. This move will allow former player Jeff Francoeur to have more time with his family. It is expected that Francoeur, along with Hall of Famer Tom Glavine, will still contribute and work approximately 20 games each during the season.
The Atlanta Braves’ decision to release Matt Carpenter has come as a surprise to many. With his notable career as a three-time All-Star and his successful stint with the New York Yankees, Carpenter’s struggles in San Diego ultimately led to his release. Additionally, the team has made changes to their broadcast team, hiring C.J. Nitkowski and adjusting the roles of Jeff Francoeur and Tom Glavine. The Braves are hoping that these changes will positively impact the team both on and off the field in the upcoming season.
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