The Atlanta Braves made the surprising decision to release first baseman Matt Carpenter on Monday, just days after acquiring him from the San Diego Padres. This move comes at a cost for the Braves, as they are effectively paying $4 million to part ways with Carpenter.
Last week, the Braves completed a trade with the Padres, receiving Carpenter and left-hander Ray Kerr in exchange for outfielder Drew Campbell. As part of the deal, the Padres agreed to pay the Braves $1.5 million, which covers a portion of Carpenter’s $5.5 million salary for the upcoming season.
Carpenter, a three-time All-Star during his tenure with the St. Louis Cardinals, experienced a career revival with the New York Yankees in 2022. Taking advantage of the short porch in right field, he hit .305 with 15 home runs and 37 RBI. However, his season was cut short when he broke his left foot with a foul ball in August. Despite returning for the postseason, Carpenter struggled and went 1 for 12 with nine strikeouts.
Carpenter’s Performance with the Padres
After his successful season with the Yankees, Carpenter signed a $12 million, two-year contract with the Padres. However, his time in San Diego was disappointing. He hit just .176 with five home runs and 31 RBI, and only had 50 at-bats from July 1 onwards due to various injuries, including right elbow inflammation.
In addition to parting ways with Carpenter, the Braves also made changes to their broadcasting team on Monday. They hired C.J. Nitkowski, a Rangers analyst, to join their main television broadcast team. This move allows former player Jeff Francoeur to have more time with his family. Nitkowski, who previously pitched for the Braves in 2004 and currently resides in suburban Atlanta, will be the primary analyst alongside play-by-play broadcaster Brandon Gaudin. Francoeur and Hall of Famer Tom Glavine are also expected to work approximately 20 games each.
The Atlanta Braves made the surprising decision to release Matt Carpenter just days after acquiring him. Despite his past successes, Carpenter’s performance with the Padres was disappointing, and his injuries limited his playing time. Alongside Carpenter’s release, the Braves announced the addition of C.J. Nitkowski to their broadcasting team, allowing Jeff Francoeur to spend more time with his family. These changes hope to provide a fresh perspective for the team and improve their overall performance in the upcoming season.
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