The Cardinals have agreed to a six-year contract extension with Matt Carpenter that will keep the All-Star infielder in St. Louis through 2019 with a club option for 2020.
The deal is worth $52 million, according to FOX Sports 1 MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal, which is a big bump from his 2013 salary of $504,000.
"Matt has inserted himself as a leader in the Cardinals clubhouse with his dedication and work ethic serving as a fine example to everyone," general manager John Mozeliak said in a news release. "His commitment to switching to a new position last season (second base), resulting in an All-Star season and Silver Slugger Award, proved once again what kind of person and player that Matt is."
Carpenter, 28, took over as the Cardinals regular second baseman and lead-off man last season, and in addition to being selected for the 2013 All-Star team by his peers, he was honored with the Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award as voted on by National League managers and coaches and finished fourth in the NL's Most Valuable Player voting. His .318 batting average ranked fifth among all National League players, while he led the majors in runs scored (126), hits (199), doubles (55) and multi-hit games (63). His 55 doubles were the most ever by a Cardinals second baseman and set the franchise record for a left-handed batter, breaking Stan Musial's mark of 53 in 1953.
#STLCards agree to 6-year contract extension with @MattCarp13; keep him through 2019 with option for 2020. pic.twitter.com/mgBdtsXnkk
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) March 8, 2014
"We are pleased to have reached an agreement that insures Matt will remain a Cardinal on a long-term basis," Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt, Jr said in the release. "He is an All-Star caliber player, and an integral part of the nucleus of this club which we feel can continue to contend for championships in 2014 and beyond."
Carpenter hit .388 with runners in scoring position last season and his 69 RBI from the leadoff position were the most by a Cardinals' No. 1 batter since Lou Brock had 76 in 1967. Of his league-best 199 hits, 112 came at home, establishing a Busch Stadium III single-season hits record.
