Cardinals: Left-handed bat options on the free agent market

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 25: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Michael Brantley #23 of the Houston Astros in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 25, 2022 in New York City. The Astros defeated the Yankees 3-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 25: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Michael Brantley #23 of the Houston Astros in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 25, 2022 in New York City. The Astros defeated the Yankees 3-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – JULY 21: Matt Carpenter #24 of the New York Yankees hit a line drive to Yuli Gurriel #10 of the Houston Astros in the third inning for an unassisted double play against the New York Yankees during game one of a doubleheader at Minute Maid Park on July 21, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JULY 21: Matt Carpenter #24 of the New York Yankees hit a line drive to Yuli Gurriel #10 of the Houston Astros in the third inning for an unassisted double play against the New York Yankees during game one of a doubleheader at Minute Maid Park on July 21, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Matt Carpenter

After an incredible run before his injury during the 2022 season, Matt Carpenter has revived his career and could be an asset to the Cardinals lineup for the 2023 season.

While I suggested the idea recently as a complementary bat for the lineup, many fans are turned off by the idea due to his, frankly, terrible finish to his Cardinal career. Some have used the argument that he was aided by Yankee Stadium’s short porch, but that just does not prove to be true, per Baseball Savant metrics.

Not only would 13 of his 15 HRs have gone out in Busch Stadium, but the ban of the shift will greatly improve his wOBA, and he is one of the players most impacted by the shift in baseball. Carpenter showed during his 47 game stretch with the Yankees that he still has stuff left in the tank, and a reunion with St. Louis could benefit both sides.

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