According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, the Cardinals are "closing in" on an extension with Matt Carpenter. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Wednesday night that the two sides were engaged in long-term talks, and it appears that progress has been made. Carpenter isn't even arbitration-eligible until 2015 and is currently under contractual control through 2017, so this deal could have significant length. Carpenter, 28, finished fourth in the National League MVP voting in 2013. He will start at third base and bat leadoff for St. Louis in 2014.