Following a recent position change, Paul Goldschmidt’s tenure in Missouri appears to be nearing an end.
It’s simple: in a contract year, Paul Goldschmidt performed far below expectations for a seven-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger. Age has most likely caught up with him. The St. Louis Cardinals’ executive office, which includes John Mozeliak and his soon-to-be successor Chaim Bloom, appears to have confirmed its intentions for the 2022 National League MVP with a positional swap announcement.
The Athletic’s Katie Woo reported in late September that the club is “expected” to release Goldschmidt. That has now virtually been proven.
Willson Contreras, a former Chicago Cub and 32-year-old catcher, will move 90 feet to the right of the diamond to first base, according to ESPN’s Jesse Roger. Mozeliak also stated that Contreras will alternate between first base and designated hitter, a job he played 33 times last season.
Given the demands of the catching position, it’s a logical decision for St. Louis, which expects to keep its most productive bat (in terms of OPS) on the field after 2024. Contreras has only played first base 11 times in his major league career, and all of them came during his first four seasons with the Cubs.
Willson Contreras may be able to elevate his biggest strength with the position change
Sure, there will be a transition period, but in time, we may witness a lot more productive offensive player with a defensive role that is much less demanding on the body. Furthermore, Contreras’ defensive abilities are far from outstanding. Increasing his concentration on his strength may help him reach his full potential.
Contreras, who is entering the third year of a five-year, $87.5 million contract, slashed.262/.380/.468 in 84 games, his third-lowest total in a single season in his career. On August 24, he fractured the middle finger of his right hand, effectively ending his 2024 candidacy.
The search for a more reliable replacement for club legend Yadier Molina continues. Iván Herrera and Pedro Pagés will now be the Cardinals’ catchers. For reference, Pagés started 10 more games behind the plate last year than Herrera. Herrera was the more effective player, with a substantially higher WAR and.800 OPS in 72 games.
We’re waiting and seeing with Goldschmidt, who is expected to sign a one-year “prove-it-type” contract. His leadership and clubhouse presence are undeniably strong. He is the type of player who gives defensive consistency and can serve as a role model for younger players in the system.
