Of the players who are clearly on the trading list this summer, Cardinals slugger Paul Goldschmidt isn’t one you’d hear about in the rumor mill. But should St. Louis consider trading the first baseman less than two years after winning the MVP award? It’s not the most conventional idea, but it might be worth exploring.
Reasons to Trade Paul Goldschmidt
Does it make sense to trade Paul Goldschmidt? Even if the safe approach is to keep a guy who has a strong case for being among the greatest first basemen in Major League Baseball history, there are reasons to at least consider trading him this summer.
Let's take a look at some of the arguments in favor of a Paul Goldschmidt deal this summer.
Free agency is coming soon
Of course, Goldschmidt’s contract must be considered. He is currently in the final year of a five-year extension he signed after being traded to St. Louis before the 2019 season. As a player who will be 37 at the end of the season, Goldschmidt is not a strong candidate to sign an extension and return to the Cardinals in 2025.
While this option isn't entirely out of the question, if the Cardinals can get something in return for Goldschmidt instead of letting him go for free this winter, it's an option worth exploring.
has commercial value
There’s no getting around the fact that this season hasn’t been Goldschmidt’s best. He’s on pace to post the worst batting average and OPS of his career, and he looks like a shadow of the best player he’s been over the past two seasons. But that doesn’t mean his market value has disappeared.
Goldschmidt is still on track to hit 20+ home runs, and he’s still a top-notch defensive player. It doesn’t look like the trade market is full of first basemen, especially if the Mets are convinced to keep Pete Alonso. If Alonso stays in New York, Goldschmidt could be the best first baseman on the trade market this summer, giving him good value.
Crowded wild card race
The Cardinals’ options at the trade deadline will be a bit complicated this summer when it comes to Goldschmidt and any other player. They’re technically within striking distance of the first-place Brewers but have a lot of ground to make up. Meanwhile, St. Louis is in a crowded wild-card race with no guarantees it will survive such a tight race and make the postseason.
Keep in mind that the Cardinals have a negative point differential and an expected win-loss record well below .500. That doesn't bode well for St. Louis, who will have a strong second half and make the playoffs with or without Goldschmidt.
Time to turn the page
After a 2023 season that featured 71 wins and 91 losses and a team that finished in the middle of this year’s wild card group, the Cardinals are a somewhat aimless organization right now. They’re clearly no longer the top team in the National League Central and don’t have a lot of young talent.
St. Louis’ farm system is currently ranked third in the bottom three of baseball’s teams, even after acquiring some good pieces at last year’s deadline. Rather than cling to hopes of a wild card spot, it might be better to start turning the page on some of the team’s veteran players like Goldschmidt sooner rather than later, using them as trade bait to help rebuild the farm system more quickly.
There will be suitors.
Perhaps the best reason to consider trading Goldschmidt is that there are several potential candidates on the trade market. Many teams, especially serious contenders like the Yankees and Mariners, may consider improving their position at first base before the trade deadline.
Likewise, some teams might welcome a veteran with Goldschmidt's experience and strong presence on the clubhouse. These factors could increase the number of teams interested in signing Goldschmidt, helping ensure that the Cardinals can get good value for him if they choose to sign him.
