Cardinals’ slugger unlikely to return for 2025, according to insider

The St. Louis Cardinals’ season has come to an end. With a win on Sunday, they finished the year 83-79, tied with the Chicago Cubs for second place in the National League Central.

However, times are changing in St. Louis, and it’s very likely that they will be saying goodbye to a few familiar faces as they enter a retooling period.

Paul Goldschmidt was the NL MVP in 2022 when he helped lead the Cardinals to a division title. His contract is up after the 2024 season.

According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, St. Louis is unlikely to bring back the veteran slugger.

“The St. Louis Cardinals are expected to part ways with seven-time All-Star Paul Goldschmidt at the end of the season,” Woo tweeted. “He will be an unrestricted free agent.”

Goldschmidt had a very disappointing 2024 season. The 37-year-old hit just .245 with 22 home runs, 65 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and a .716 OPS.

St. Louis acquired him prior to the 2019 season in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He helped guide the Cardinals to the NLCS that year.

The team also reached the postseason in the following three seasons with Goldschmidt in their lineup. But he, like the Cardinals took several steps back in 2023 and was unable to rebound in 2024.

The Cardinals have plenty of internal options that they can replace Goldschmidt with at first base. The most logical choices are Brendan Donovan, Luken Baker, Jordan Walker, and Alec Burleson.

It will be interesting to see what happens next with Goldschmidt and where he will ultimately end up following this season.

More MLB: Cardinals’ downfall attributed to “lack of resources,” per insider