MLB Rumors: Paul Goldschmidt and Cardinals Expected to Part in 2024 Free Agency | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

One of MLB’s best hitters is reportedly set to hit the open market in the offseason.

According to The Athletic’s Katie Woo, the St. Louis Cardinals are “expected to part ways with” star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt when his contract expires at the end of the 2024 season.

Goldschmidt is in the final season of the five-year, $130 million contract he signed with the Cardinals before the 2019 season. Woo noted that St. Louis is “planning to transition to a reboot in 2025,” which led to the decision to “move on from one of their franchise faces.”

A seven-time All-Star and 2022 National League MVP, Goldschmidt has been one of the most consistent power hitters in MLB since his major league debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2011. The 37-year-old has hit 30 times in his career, hitting home runs seven times or more per season.

Unfortunately for Goldschmidt, 2024 was a bad year by his standards. In 153 games, he posted a career-low .245 batting average with 22 home runs and 64 RBI, his lowest total since 2020, when he was limited to 58 games due to an elbow injury.

With a score of 82:79, the Cardinals go into the season finale against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday and will miss the playoffs for the second year in a row. St. Louis ended a streak of four consecutive postseason appearances in 2023 with a 71-91 record.

The only thing missing from Goldschmidt’s career resume is a World Series title, so he will likely look to join a contender if he hits the open market this offseason.