St. Louis Cardinals: Matt Carpenter running out of time

Matt Carpenter has been a key part of the St. Louis Cardinals lineup over the years. A three time All Star, he has played around the infield, putting together a respectable career in his 11 seasons with the team. He has been an on base machine with solid pop, leading the league in doubles twice while reaching the 20 homer plateau four times.

But those days are far in the past. Carpenter has not been the same player over the past couple of years, as his production has continued to slide backwards. Since the start of the 2019 season, he has produced a .216/.332/.372 batting line, hitting 19 homers and 22 doubles in his 661 plate appearances.

Matt Carpenter running out of time with St. Louis Cardinals

Even that production, as mediocre as it was, seems Ruthian compared to what Carpenter has done this year. He has yet to shake off his horrendous spring training, as he has notched just three hits in his 47 plate appearances. Although he has drawn five walks, he has also struck out 17 times.

Carpenter is now running out of time to get on track. Tyler O’Neill was activated from the Injured List, and Harrison Bader is nearing his own return. With that duo in place, the Cardinals will be hard pressed to find ways to get Carpenter into the lineup, something that president of baseball operations John Mozeliak recognizes.

It is fair to wonder if Carpenter is entering his final days with the Cardinals. He has been a solid player during his time in St. Louis, a key part of their success over the past decade. But at 35 years old, and coming off of two disappointing seasons, it is fair to wonder if he has anything left at all.

Father Time catches up with us all eventually. That is the case with Carpenter, as the once dependable utility man just cannot produce any longer. As he is in the final year of his contract, his time in St. Louis is drawing closer to an end. If he does not start producing soon, that end could come even quicker than one would have expected.

Matt Carpenter is running out of time with the St. Louis Cardinals. As the team gets healthy, it will be more difficult for him to get onto the diamond.