The St. Louis Cardinals have had a rollercoaster season in 2024. Despite a rough start of 15-24, they managed to climb back into contention before hitting a recent slump.
As the season winds down, there are looming questions for the Cardinals, especially regarding former National League MVP, Paul Goldschmidt.
Goldschmidt, now in the final year of his contract with St. Louis, is experiencing a decline in performance this year, batting just .232 with a .687 OPS at 36 years old.
According to Jim Bowden of the Athletic, the end of Goldschmidt’s career may be approaching. Bowden wrote, “Although he’s just two years removed from winning the NL MVP Award, the seven-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner and five-time Silver Slugger is nearing the end of a fabulous career.”
If Goldschmidt chooses to continue playing, the Cardinals will face a decision on whether to retain him or let him explore other opportunities. The team has promising young hitters in their system like Ivan Herrera, Luken Baker, Thomas Saggese, and Jordan Walker, along with the option to pursue free agents like J.D. Martinez or Justin Turner.
Regardless of what Goldschmidt decides, his impressive career and impact on Major League Baseball since 2011 cannot be denied.
It remains to be seen whether Goldschmidt will hang up his cleats or continue his journey on the diamond.
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