3 St. Louis Cardinals who won't be back if they extend Paul Goldschmidt
By Mark Powell
2. Cardinals will be forced to trade Dylan Carlson
It's surprising the Cardinals didn't trade Dylan Carlson this offseason, but that could all change for the former top prospect at the deadline. If St. Louis extends Goldschmidt before the season, they could be forced into a situation where they need to clear payroll. Carlson, if he plays well, will receive a nice payday in arbitration.
Carlson was almost traded to the New York Yankees last August, but instead stayed with the Cards. Carlson still provides some value defensively but has struggled at the plate the last few years. While it's only spring training, Carlson believe this is the year he'll turn it around.
“I guess the better way to put it would be giving myself a bigger engine,” Carlson said. “You have your normal swing and what you’re capable of doing. At this point, where I am right now, I’m trying to expand and allow myself more. There’s more in it. The biggest thing I noticed, looking at the numbers, was the difference just with intent. With intent you can make a big difference.”
St. Louis can't afford to lose much in the pitching department even with a looming Goldschmidt extension. This is what makes a Carlson trade all the more likely. Getting a potentially-pricey outfielder off the books will help ownership add elsewhere on the roster.