This offseason, Paul Goldschmidt was traded to the STL Cardinals from the Arizona Diamondbacks to be their first basemen for the last season of his contract before he hits free agency. It seems like he will be in St. Louis for years to come.
According to Ken Rosenthal, the STL Cardinals and Paul Goldschmidt are nearing a five-year extension worth at least $110 million.
#STLCards close on an extension with 1B Paul Goldschmidt, sources tell The Athletic. Deal will be for at least five years and at least $110M.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 21, 2019
Goldschmidt has not played a game in a Cardinals uniform yet, but both he and the Cardinals seem to believe in what is happening in Missouri.
In his first eight seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Goldschmidt was an All-Star six times in a row, winning four gold gloves at first base, and three silver sluggers. He has finished in the top 11 of the National League MVP voting each of his last four seasons, in addition to finishing second place in 2013.
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Last season, he was a big part of the D-Backs season, as they were competing for a playoff spot all the way up until there were only a few weeks left of the regular season.
He hit .290 with an on-base percentage of .389 in addition to hitting over 30 home runs (33) for the third time in the last four seasons.
He was then traded to the Cardinals in the off-season after the D-Backs figured they would lose A.J. Pollock and Patrick Corbin. The D-backs got players including Carson Kelly and Luke Weaver back in the deal.
Paul Goldschmidt is going to hit in the middle of a Cardinals lineup that includes Matt Carpenter, Marcell Ozuna, and the great Yadier Molina.
The Cards will be competing for the National League Central crown along with the Cubs, Brewers, and possibly the rejuvenated Cincinnati Reds.
The acquisition of Goldschmidt will have lasting effects on the team, especially to their starting third basemen. Matt Carpenter has had to play just about every position for the Cardinals due to injuries, so Carpenter will have a much better year because he is back at the position he is most comfortable with and gets the protection of Paul Goldschmidt in the lineup.
The STL Cardinals made the right decision by extending Goldschmidt because they should be a legitimate contender for years to come.