It seems almost certain that Paul Goldschmidt will be one of the prominent departures for the St. Louis Cardinals this offseason. The only remaining question for John Mozeliak is how many other familiar faces will follow him out the door, with trade rumors swirling around Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, Ryan Helsley, and others.
Goldschmidt, however, will not leave via trade. The 37-year-old first baseman, who won the NL MVP with the Cardinals in 2022, will be a free agent this offseason. With Chaim Bloom now entering the fold for the Cardinals and after two disappointing seasons without a playoff appearance, the expectation is that the team will focus on shedding payroll rather than making significant acquisitions.
This, in itself, sends a painful message to the St. Louis fanbase. It also highlights the mismanagement of the organization under Mozeliak’s leadership, particularly in the decision not to re-sign Goldschmidt, especially considering the price tag he’s projected to command.
If the Cardinals were in a competitive position, a contract for Goldschmidt would easily fit into their budget. But given the team’s current trajectory, that’s no longer the case.
According to projections, Goldschmidt will be in high demand and may be an attractive option for teams looking for a proven bat on a short-term, lower-cost deal. Jim Bowden of The Athletic and MLBTradeRumors both estimate his deal to be around one year, $15 million. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel predicts a slightly higher price at one year, $18 million.
For contenders, signing Goldschmidt at a reasonable cost with a short-term commitment is an appealing option, especially when compared to the much higher annual value deals for younger players like Christian Walker and Pete Alonso.
However, the Cardinals are not in contention right now. Instead, all signs point to the start of a rebuild, making Goldschmidt’s departure even more difficult for fans to digest. The team that was expected to compete now appears to be undergoing a teardown, and seeing a beloved player like Goldschmidt, who could have been re-signed at a relatively affordable price, be let go is disheartening.
The situation underscores the current struggles of the Cardinals, who are not only facing challenges on the field but also dealing with the painful reality of having fallen far from their previous successes. Goldschmidt’s projected contract, which should have been manageable for a team in a better position, is now a bitter reminder of how far the organization has fallen and how uncertain the future remains.