After six seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, together with a 2022 marketing campaign that noticed him win the Nationwide League Most Priceless Participant Award, studies point out that first baseman Paul Goldschmidt’s time with the Cardinals will possible finish this offseason.
One of many explanation why the 37-year-old Goldschmidt will possible not return to the Redbirds is the drop-off in manufacturing over the past two campaigns on the plate. Since slashing .317/.404/.578 with an OPS+ of 177 in 2022, Goldschmidt has posted a mixed .257/.333/.430 with an OPS+ of 109 within the 308 video games which have adopted.
With St. Louis implementing a brand new course after lacking the postseason the final two years, the place may Goldschmidt land for the following chapter of his MLB profession? Listed below are three potential spots the place Goldschmidt may signal a short-term deal.
1. Arizona Diamondbacks
Goldschmidt was drafted by Arizona in 2009 and made his MLB debut with the franchise in 2011, finally taking part in eight seasons within the desert.
Returning to Arizona would make sense from an emotional standpoint in addition to including one other bat to a workforce that simply missed the postseason in 2024.
The Diamondbacks could lose Christian Walker in free company, so Goldschmidt may fill a necessity at first base. Joc Pederson, who logged a team-leading 105 video games at designated hitter for Arizona final season, can also be a free agent, so there may be doubtlessly one other spot within the lineup the place Goldschmidt may make an affect.
2. Houston Astros
Final season, Houston’s first basemen mixed to provide -3.0 bWAR, rating the squad twenty eighth out of MLB’s 30 groups. With its fast exit this postseason and questions on what to do at first base amongst Houston’s largest issues to unravel this offseason, Goldschmidt may present a short-term reply that may doubtlessly assist the Astros.
It could additionally give the veteran an opportunity to chase a World Sequence look, one thing that has eluded Goldschmidt throughout his 14-year MLB profession.
With Houston normal supervisor Dana Brown saying that getting “again deep into the postseason” is without doubt one of the objectives for 2025, signing a veteran like Goldschmidt may assist solidify that aim.
3. Milwaukee Brewers
In line with USA As we speak’s Bob Nightengale, the Brewers “nonetheless consider there’s loads left within the tank” in terms of Goldschmidt. After profitable the NL Central this season however being ousted within the wild-card spherical, Milwaukee is anticipated to take a look at gamers who may also help it go deeper in 2025.
Rhys Hoskins will return to Milwaukee subsequent season, and he took nearly all of plate appearances at first base final season for the Brewers. Nonetheless, Milwaukee completed tied for twenty fifth amongst MLB’s 30 groups in mixed bWAR on the place, accounting for -2.4. It is an space the place the Brewers could look so as to add some further pop.
