Position: 1B B/T: R/R
Age: 37 (9/10/1987)
2024 Traditional Stats: 22 HR, 65 RBI, .245/.302/.414/.716, 11 SB, 654 PA
2024 Advanced Stats: 1.3 bWAR, 1.1 fWAR, 100 wRC+, 26.5 SO%, 7.2 BB%, .308 BABIP, .333 xwOBA
The end can come quick, even for a borderline Hall of Famer like Paul Goldschmidt. He was the National League MVP for the Cardinals in 2022, but this season he hit his fewest home runs since 2014 (excluding Covid-shortened 2020), while his batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage all dipped to career lows.
He led the NL in OPS (.981) in that MVP year. This year, he was 58th, slotting between fellow aging Cardinal Nolan Arenado and Jake Cronenworth. It is not the best time for the 14-year veteran to be testing free agency for the first time, but here we are.
The seven-time All-Star could still be useful because a) surprise bounce-back seasons by veterans happen, b) the four-time Gold Glove winner remains smooth in the field and c) he still hits lefties well. If a rebound doesn’t materialize for Goldy playing every day, a reduced role in a platoon at first base/DH, could work. He slashed .295/.366/.473/.838 vs. southpaws, with five homers in 146 at-bats.
Despite his age, he continued a career-long trend of being an opportunistic base stealer, going 11-for-11. In his last four seasons, Goldschmidt is 41-for-43 swiping bases. He is the active leader for steals by a first baseman (169).
(The all-time mark of 518 set by Jack Doyle, who played from 1889-1905, including stints with the Columbus Solons, Cleveland Spiders, and Brooklyn Superbas, is, alas, unreachable.)
There is an ESPN report that the Diamondbacks, where Goldschmidt spent his first eight seasons, may be interested in a reunion. Detroit, per MLB.com, is another potential destination.
The Athletic rated him the offseason’s 29th-best free agent and projected a one-year, $15 million deal. The eighth-round draft pick (Diamondbacks, 2009) has made $175 million in his career.
A lot would have to happen, none of it preferable, for me to be interested. Signing him would remind me of the Mets bringing in J.D. Martinez a year ago, which I liked at the time and had its moments, but ended with many fans scratching their heads at Carlos Mendoza‘s decision to insert him in the lineup in the playoffs. It wouldn’t stun me if Goldy had a nice 2025 – the great ones often find a way – but I’d let a different team take a chance on him.
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