The St. Louis Cardinals made every effort to secure their 12th World Series title with Paul Goldschmidt, but it’s clear that the championship window has closed. With the team likely facing several more years out of playoff contention, bringing back an aging and regressing Goldschmidt doesn’t seem like the right move.
Goldschmidt, an eight-time All-Star, is expected to seek a deal with a legitimate postseason contender. However, a recent prediction about his future suggests he might end up in an even less favorable position to chase a championship.
“Goldschmidt’s stellar career is nearing its end as age and decline have started to take their toll,” wrote Jim Bowden of The Athletic on Friday. “Still, his leadership in the clubhouse could be invaluable for developing younger players on a team like the Colorado Rockies. Plus, playing half his games at Coors Field could extend his career and help him remain productive for a few more seasons.”
Coors Field, known for its hitter-friendly conditions thanks to Denver’s high altitude, could offer Goldschmidt an opportunity to boost his offensive numbers. Bowden proposed a hypothetical deal: one year with the Rockies for $8 million plus incentives.
“At this stage, Goldschmidt would be best suited for a part-time role, splitting time between first base and designated hitter,” Bowden added. “Last season with the Cardinals, he posted a .245/.302/.414 slash line (98 OPS+) with 22 home runs and was worth 1.3 WAR.”
Ideally, Goldschmidt would prefer to join a contender to pursue the World Series title that’s missing from his Hall of Fame-worthy resume. Unfortunately, his career-worst offensive season came at the worst possible time—just as his contract expired. As a result, bigger-market teams might opt for other upgrades at first base, leaving the Rockies as one of his better options.
While the Rockies are unlikely to provide Goldschmidt a shot at a championship, a season in Denver could give him a chance to pad his stats and rebuild his market value. If Coors Field helps him rediscover his 2021 MVP form, he might be able to secure a more competitive deal with a contender next offseason. In that sense, signing with the Rockies could be a strategic move for the veteran slugger’s long-term prospects.
Source: https://www.si.com/mlb/cardinals/st...ign-8m-deal-with-surprise-nl-west-rival-nate3
Goldschmidt, an eight-time All-Star, is expected to seek a deal with a legitimate postseason contender. However, a recent prediction about his future suggests he might end up in an even less favorable position to chase a championship.
“Goldschmidt’s stellar career is nearing its end as age and decline have started to take their toll,” wrote Jim Bowden of The Athletic on Friday. “Still, his leadership in the clubhouse could be invaluable for developing younger players on a team like the Colorado Rockies. Plus, playing half his games at Coors Field could extend his career and help him remain productive for a few more seasons.”
Coors Field, known for its hitter-friendly conditions thanks to Denver’s high altitude, could offer Goldschmidt an opportunity to boost his offensive numbers. Bowden proposed a hypothetical deal: one year with the Rockies for $8 million plus incentives.
“At this stage, Goldschmidt would be best suited for a part-time role, splitting time between first base and designated hitter,” Bowden added. “Last season with the Cardinals, he posted a .245/.302/.414 slash line (98 OPS+) with 22 home runs and was worth 1.3 WAR.”
Ideally, Goldschmidt would prefer to join a contender to pursue the World Series title that’s missing from his Hall of Fame-worthy resume. Unfortunately, his career-worst offensive season came at the worst possible time—just as his contract expired. As a result, bigger-market teams might opt for other upgrades at first base, leaving the Rockies as one of his better options.
While the Rockies are unlikely to provide Goldschmidt a shot at a championship, a season in Denver could give him a chance to pad his stats and rebuild his market value. If Coors Field helps him rediscover his 2021 MVP form, he might be able to secure a more competitive deal with a contender next offseason. In that sense, signing with the Rockies could be a strategic move for the veteran slugger’s long-term prospects.
Source: https://www.si.com/mlb/cardinals/st...ign-8m-deal-with-surprise-nl-west-rival-nate3