The Arizona Diamondbacks and the St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to a trade involving the All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Goldschmidt will be a Cardinal and the Diamondbacks are receiving catcher Carson Kelly, right-handed pitcher Luke Weaver, and infielder Andy Young.
The Diamondbacks are going into a rebuild with some of their top players Patrick Corbin and A.J. Pollock leaving in free agency. They are also looking to unload the enormous Zack Greinke contract.
Although Goldschmidt’s production slightly declined in 2018, he still had a productive season. He hit .290/389/.533 with 33 home runs and 83 RBI’s. Goldschmidt also provides an elite defensive glove on the right infield corner. Matt Carpenter will have to find another position to play but what Goldschmidt is capable of bringing to the Cardinals is undeniable. Goldschmidt will be a free agent after this season and is 31 years old.
They have been on the hunt for superstars for the past few years. They signed Dexter Fowler in 2017 and traded for Marcell Ozuna the last offseason. They also attempted to go after Giancarlo Stanton last Winter.
The Diamondbacks could have gotten more in return for the 7-time All-Star. Weaver posted a below average 4.95 ERA in 2018 but showed potential in his 2017 season. Kelly has the ability to be a starting catcher and he was once touted as the successor to Yadier Molina. But he is a converted third baseman and still has a lot to learn behind the plate. Young isn’t projected to be anything more than a bench player. If Weaver and Kelly can develop into quality starters, this deal will be considered a success for the Diamondbacks but only time will tell.
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