Rival NL Team "Keeping Close Eye" on Paul Goldschmidt as Cardinals Make Free Agent Decision

As the St. Louis Cardinals finish their season 10 games back of first place in the NL Central, and long ago eliminated from playoff contention, they have some big decisions to make on their direction for 2025 and beyond.

We've already got one report that they're looking to trade their top pitcher, now we are getting word that they will part with former MVP first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who is now an unrestricted free agent.

The Cardinals are expected to part ways with free agent Paul Goldschmidt after this season, per @katiejwoo pic.twitter.com/wSIED4dxiW
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 29, 2024

Katie Woo of the Athletic is reporting that multiple league sources tell her that the Cards will be moving on from the seven-time All-Star and 2022 National League MVP. He has spent the past six seasons with St. Louis and his five-year, $130 million deal has now expired.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, "The Milwaukee Brewers are keeping a close eye on (Goldschmidt) if the Cardinals opt not to bring him back. They still believe there’s plenty left in the tank".

With an MVP season just two years ago, the Brew Crew have reason to believe that.

The now-former Cardinals first baseman, who recently turned 37, had the worst season of his career by pretty much every measure this year. This was the first time he finished with a below-league-average OPS+, at just 97. He also hit just 22 homers with 64 RBIs, his lowest full-season totals in 10 years (when he missed over 50 games due to injury).

We'll have to see what kind of interest he garners on the open market.