After six seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, including a 2022 campaign in which he won the National League Most Valuable Player Award, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt’s career with the Cardinals is expected to end this offseason.
One of the reasons the 37-year-old Goldschmidt is unlikely to return to the Redbirds is a reduction in output at the plate over the last two seasons. Since slashing.317/.404/.578 with an OPS+ of 177 in 2022, Goldschmidt has combined for.257/.333/.430 with an OPS+ of 109 in the 308 games since.
With St. Louis taking a new route after missing the playoffs the previous two years, where may Goldschmidt land for the next chapter of his MLB career? Here are three places where Goldschmidt may sign a short-term contract.
1. Arizona Diamondbacks
Goldschmidt was selected by Arizona in 2009 and made his MLB debut in 2011. He spent eight seasons in the desert.
Returning to Arizona would make sense emotionally, as would adding another bat to a team that missed the postseason in 2024.
The Diamondbacks may lose Christian Walker to free agency, so Goldschmidt might fill a need at first base. Joc Pederson, who led the team with 105 games at designated hitter for Arizona last season, is also a free agent, so Goldschmidt might make an impact in another slot in the lineup.
2. Houston Astros
Last season, Houston’s first basemen combined for -3.0 bWAR, placing the team 28th out of 30 MLB teams. With Houston’s swift exit from the postseason and uncertainties about what to do at first base among its most pressing issues this summer, Goldschmidt might provide a short-term solution that could benefit the Astros.
It would also allow the veteran to pursue a World Series berth, which has eluded Goldschmidt during his 14-year MLB career.
Houston general manager Dana Brown has stated that reaching “back deep into the postseason” is one of the team’s goals for 2025, and signing a veteran like Goldschmidt might help reinforce that.
3. Milwaukee Brewers
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Brewers “still believe there’s plenty left in the tank” for Goldschmidt. After winning the NL Central this season but being eliminated in the wild-card stage, Milwaukee is anticipated to hunt for players who can help it advance farther in 2025.
Rhys Hoskins will return to Milwaukee next season after spending the most of his time at first base for the Brewers last season. Milwaukee, on the other hand, finished tied for 25th among the 30 MLB teams in terms of collective bWAR at the position, contributing for -2.4. It’s an area where the Brewers could try to add some flair.
