The St. Louis Cardinals will have a tough decision to make about one of the club’s best players.
Cardinals superstar Paul Goldschmidt had a down year in 2023 — like much of the organization — but is poised for a bounce-back 2024 campaign.
The 2022 National League Most Valuable Player clubbed 25 home runs and drove in 80 runs last season even in a down year and should be able to contribute in a major way this season.
Goldschmidt will be a free agent at the end of the season so he likely is hoping for a strong season, as well. Both the Cardinals and Goldschmidt have made it known that they are interested in continuing their partnership but the two sides haven’t come to terms on an extension yet.
The two sides have made it sound like they will let at least some of the season play out before going back to the negotiating table. While this is the case, the New York Post’s Joel Sherman seems to think a deal ultimately will get done.
“Let’s state the obvious: A lot can happen between now and free agency,” Sherman said. “If I were a betting man, I might, for example, wager that Philadelphia’s Zack Wheeler and St. Louis’ Paul Goldschmidt do extensions before reaching free agency. Injuries and poor performance also can (and will) shake up the market. And there are plenty others, such as Max Fried, you can envision the New York teams vying for.”
Sherman was speculating but it’s interesting to see an insider of his caliber predicting the two sides will come together. It isn’t too surprising as both sides have said all of the right things so far, but it should help give Cardinals fans hope.
