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Cardinals: 3 players who weren’t traded at the deadline, but will be this offseason

By Mark Powell

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 19: Nolan Arenado #28 and Paul Goldschmidt #46 of the St. Louis Cardinals warm up before the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 19: Nolan Arenado #28 and Paul Goldschmidt #46 of the St. Louis Cardinals warm up before the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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Paul Goldschmidt #46 of the St. Louis Cardinals high fives Nolan Arenado #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals after hitting a home run in the top of the fifth inning at Great American Ball Park on July 24, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Lauren Bacho/Getty Images)
Paul Goldschmidt #46 of the St. Louis Cardinals high fives Nolan Arenado #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals after hitting a home run in the top of the fifth inning at Great American Ball Park on July 24, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Lauren Bacho/Getty Images) /

Cardinals players to trade this offseason: Paul Goldschmidt

St. Louis has the makings of a very impressive young core, but the old guard is aging out. Nolan Arenado will be a Cardinal for as long as his contract allows — so through 2027, at least. The same cannot be said for Paul Goldschmidt, who becomes a free agent after the 2024 season. Goldy is hitting at an MVP level again this season, but his value will never be higher. Just how likely is a contract extension considering Goldschmidt is on the wrong side of 35 years old? Are his best days as a baseball player behind him?

Recent history says yes. As well as Goldschmidt is playing now, hitters don’t age well. If Goldschmidt’s agency is chasing a five-to-six-year contract that will pay Goldy into his 40’s, that ought to be a non-starter for Mozeliak.

Goldschmidt is slashing .275/.362/.455 this season with 18 home runs. He, along with Arenado, are the centerpieces of this Cardinals lineup, and losing him without receiving some sort of replicable piece would seriously hurt their 2024 chances. If they keep Goldy, though, they risk losing him for nothing, barring a short-term contract extension.

Baseball is a tough business for a reason.

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