With Christian Walker facing a decision this offseason as he tests free agency, the Arizona Diamondbacks 2025 Opening Day first baseman remains up in the air.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In a recent article from MLB.com’s John Denton, a potential reunion with seven-time All-Star Paul Goldschmidt is on the table. Denton notes, “Goldschmidt, whose production has fallen off dramatically the past two seasons, leads the way here. There is a scenario where the Cardinals would love to retain Goldschmidt, but it would need to be on a club-friendly deal. The D-backs and/or Astros are expected to pursue Goldschmidt and offer him more guaranteed cash, so the likelihood is that he moves on to a contender.”
Goldschmidt has indeed struggled at the plate over the past couple of seasons. After being named National League MVP in 2022, he posted a .268 batting average in 2023, followed by a .245 average in 2024. His 22 home runs this season marked his lowest total since 2014, and his .716 OPS in 2024 was a career low.
At 37 years old, Goldschmidt’s five-year, $130 million contract with the Cardinals has come to an end. For the first time in his career, he is a free agent, and the Diamondbacks just happen to be in the market for a first baseman if Walker decides to head elsewhere.
Goldschmidt, a fan favorite during his time in Arizona, spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Diamondbacks, earning seven Gold Glove awards. His best season came in 2017 when he finished third in MVP voting, smashing 36 home runs and posting a .966 OPS.
The controversy surrounding Goldschmidt’s departure from the Diamondbacks still lingers. He was traded to the Cardinals in exchange for Carson Kelly, Luke Weaver, Andrew Young, and a competitive balance draft pick in 2019, which was used to select outfielder Dominic Fletcher, who was later traded to acquire Cristian Pena.
Stay tuned for further updates.
