It's a back loaded deal, according to Fox Sports , breaking down to $1 million, $3.5 million, $6.25 million, $9.75 million, $13.5 million and then $14.5 million in the sixth year with a $18.5 million club option or $2 million buyout and a $1.5 million signing bonus.

The Cardinals made it official at a Saturday press conference from their spring training facilities in Jupiter, Fla. Carpenter called it a "no brainer for me" while front office personnel said they'd like to see Carpenter finish his career with the team.

The St. Louis Dispatch reported earlier in the week the Cardinals were close to a finalizing an extension with Carpenter, who at 28 is making a switch from second base over to third. The Cards plan to use rookie Kolten Wong at second base.

Carpenter hit .318 last season with 11 home runs, 78 RBIs and a league-high 126 runs scored. He was named to the All-Star game and finished fourth in NL MVP voting. It's the third consecutive season the Cardinals have signed a star to an extension.


HARVEY WANTS TO PITCH


Matt Harvey's early-morning tweet will either excite you or infuriate you.

His message: "2014 Harvey day will happen."

The New York Mets' All-Star underwent Tommy John surgery in October and began throwing again last month at spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Typical recovery time for the surgery is 12 months, but Harvey has been insistent about returning to Citi Field's mound during the 2014 season. The Mets front office has said it will be cautious with Harvey's recovery. 

Harvey, 24, was the team's shining star during another rough season in which the Mets finished 74-88 and glared at the Atlanta Braves 22-games above them. His starts were must-see events and shortly became known as "Harvey Day." He went 9-5 with a 2.27 ERA  and 191 strikeouts in 178 1/3 innings before being shut down in August.

Mets fans are already looking forward to 2015, when they hope a healthy Harvey will lead a rotation that includes young guns Zack Wheeler, 23, and 21-year-old Noah Syndergaard.

Wheeler pitched 100 innings last season with a 7-5 record and 3.42 ERA. Sydergaard hasn't made his major league debut. It's likely he starts at Triple-A Las Vegas and is pulled up to the majors later in the season.


VICTORINO WEIGHS SWITCH-HITTING


To switch-hit or not to switch-hit, that is the question for Shane Victorino.

The Red Sox outfielder has yet to play a spring training game, but when he does, the Boston Globe reports it may be solely from the right side of home plate. Victorino hasn't come out and said what his plans are to the media or even manager John Farrell. Globe reporter Nick Cafardo tweeted Saturday Victorino is still "for time being" a switch hitter and has taken lefthanded batting practice.

The Globe reports Victorino hasn't taken a swing batting lefthanded in practice sessions on the field. He's naturally a righthanded batter and adopted switch-hitting in the 2002 while in the minors. He strayed from batting lefthanded late last season because of a strained left hamstring. He hit .300 with an .896 OPS in 115 plate appearances while batting righty against righthanded pitching. Farrell agrees he's hit better batting right throughout his career and is supportive of the change.

"We want the most productive player," he told the Globe. "If that's what it lends to, we'd be perfectly fine with it if that's what he opts to do."

Victorino has been held out of games while recovering from surgery on his thumb and while strengthening problematic groin muscles. Farrell said the outfielder will hopefully make his spring debut early this upcoming week.

Contributor: Cassandra Negley