It did not take one regular season game for the St. Louis Cardinals to decide that they want first baseman Paul Goldschmidt to stick around for a while. They are making sure of that as of Thursday, as the two sides are reportedly finalizing a five-year contract extension that is worth $130 million. The former Arizona Diamondbacks slugger will make $15.5 million this season, and is now locked in with St. Louis through the 2024 campaign. The newest Cardinal has finished second or third in the NL MVP race on three different occasions, but was on track to be a free agent after this season.
The 31-year-old was acquired by the Cardinals from the D-backs on December 8th in exchange for Luke Weaver, Carson Kelly, and Andy Young. If and when this contract is finalized, it will make Goldschmidt the highest-paid player in franchise history. This will beat the deal that outfielder Matt Holiday received, which was for $120 million over seven years in 2010. It will also move him past veteran catcher Yadier Molina, who is making $20 million this season.
The six-time All-Star (the past six seasons) has won four Silver Slugger Awards and three Gold Gloves over eight major league seasons. The career .297 hitter has 209 home runs and 710 RBIs at the major league level, including four seasons with at least 33 home runs. In 2018 with Arizona, Goldschmidt hit .290 with 33 home runs, 83 RBIs, 35 doubles, 90 walks, and a .922 OPS. His OPS of .934 since the 2012 season is the second-highest in the National League, only behind Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds. Those two first basemen will be seeing a lot more of each other in the coming years.
The 31-year-old was acquired by the Cardinals from the D-backs on December 8th in exchange for Luke Weaver, Carson Kelly, and Andy Young. If and when this contract is finalized, it will make Goldschmidt the highest-paid player in franchise history. This will beat the deal that outfielder Matt Holiday received, which was for $120 million over seven years in 2010. It will also move him past veteran catcher Yadier Molina, who is making $20 million this season.
The six-time All-Star (the past six seasons) has won four Silver Slugger Awards and three Gold Gloves over eight major league seasons. The career .297 hitter has 209 home runs and 710 RBIs at the major league level, including four seasons with at least 33 home runs. In 2018 with Arizona, Goldschmidt hit .290 with 33 home runs, 83 RBIs, 35 doubles, 90 walks, and a .922 OPS. His OPS of .934 since the 2012 season is the second-highest in the National League, only behind Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds. Those two first basemen will be seeing a lot more of each other in the coming years.
