ST. LOUIS — At the age of 31, Albert Pujols left the St. Louis Cardinals for greener pastures in Los Angeles-at least when it came to the money.
Seven years later, Paul Goldschmidt came to St. Louis via a trade, hoping to finally fill the hole left by Pujols. When the 2019 season is over, Goldschmidt, like Pujols, will be 31 years old and looking for the final big contract of his playing career.
The recruiting phase for John Mozeliak, Bill DeWitt Jr., and the Cardinals organization began last weekend when Goldschmidt received his first formal introduction to St. Louis at the Winter Warm-up. He signed tons of autographs, posed for a thousand pictures, and flashed the thousand-watt smile that fans hope to see across billboards and posters outside the stadium for years to come.
You can count Mozeliak and DeWitt Jr. among the group of hopefuls. The Goldschmidt recruitment should play out like a sequel to the Pujols negotiations, with a different ending happening this time. After all, Pujols was the first Cardinal in a long time to say no to St. Louis. Others, like Jason Heyward and Giancarlo Stanton, have followed suit. Goldschmidt's decision-making period has begun.
It's a good thing people are already likening him to the former Cardinal great. When the former Arizona Diamondback was traded here in December, Tony La Russa told KSDK Sports Director Frank Cusumano that he was the most talented player he had seen since Pujols. High marks coming from a guy who has overseen both talents at different points in his illustrious career.
Here's the thing. La Russa isn't stretching his credibility or going out on a limb. Goldschmidt may be one of the best talents to grace the baseball diamond in the past ten years. How many other players have averaged 31 home runs, an OPS of .930, 40 doubles, 175 hits, and 97 walks over the past eight seasons? Go ahead and check while I keep going. Hint: not many players. The list is shorter than the list of Best Picture nominees at the Oscars this year.
When asked about the Goldschmidt acquisition, the look on every Cardinal's face resembled the expression of someone who had a Porsche dropped off on their front porch. Kolten Wong was excited about the impact "Goldy" would have on his defense, specifically picking up errant throws. For Alex Reyes, Goldschmidt's name hasn't escaped his train of thought since coming into the league. Michael Wacha called him the toughest hitter he's faced yet.
Cardinals manager Mike Shildt used "residual value" to describe the Goldschmidt appeal. An asset that could give back for years and in many, different ways: at the plate, in the field, in the clubhouse, and wherever he happened to be. It didn't take Shildt more than three hours of fine Italian dining to realize the player he had on his roster.
For the first time since Pujols left, the Cardinals have a legitimate threat in their lineup. Someone other teams have to prepare for in many ways. Managers have to develop game plans in the first, third, sixth, and ninth innings to combat Goldschmidt. With no offense to Matt Holliday, Carlos Beltran, and Matt Carpenter-there hasn't been a necessary defense system made up for a Cardinal since #5 took his talents west.
While the bulk of Cardinal Nation and several local columnists can still fawn (rightfully) over Bryce Harper, overlooking Goldschmidt is a mistake I will not make. He's not as flashy as Harper or Manny Machado, but his bat and ability speaks louder than both of them. Once the games start and the pitches are thrown, Goldschmidt outdoes both of them.
Unlike Harper, Goldschmidt has stayed consistent and healthy over the past six seasons. He's played less than 145 games just once in his last six seasons, and he owns three Gold Gloves. Here's a bonus: Goldschmidt has stolen 32 bases in a season, while being charged with theft on 21 and 18 different occasions in other seasons.
When it comes to holding up over the next 4-6 years, I don't have many doubts with Goldschmidt. He doesn't play a strenuous position, keeps himself in shape, and takes smart at-bats that don't rely solely on power. He's a good bet, some would argue is better than the best bats on the market.
What does he not do? Outside of growing Harper-type hair and provide a juicy soundbite, the list is pretty short.
This isn't an either/or battle between Goldschmidt and Harper, but a realistic outlook. One is a Cardinal right now, and the other is probably staying in the NL East. Dreams are only healthy if you eventually wake up, and when it comes to Harper coming to St. Louis, waking up right now is critical.
While the Cardinals may not rob the MLB bank this offseason, they have acquired arguably one of the top ten players in the game. And they leave themselves open for a Nolan Arenado pursuit next winter.
All that has to happen now is making sure he stays. Goldschmidt came into the league during Pujols' final season in St. Louis back in 2011. At the age of 31, he will enter free agency, an offseason tradition that has become frozen the past two years, looking to secure his future.
I'd bet a bag of coffee or a six-pack of craft beer that Goldschmidt stays. It could be the chilly free agent market that won't thaw anytime soon, especially for a 31-year-old next winter. It could be the fact that Mike Matheny isn't managing the Cardinals anymore. It could be the young pitching, baseball town appeal, and booming downtown area.
Maybe it's due to the fact that there's an empty throne waiting for a superstar to sit in it.
For the first time since Albert Pujols left, the Cardinals have a true stud on their hands. I think they can keep him around. Every once in a while, the sequel turns out to be better than the original. Goldschmidt will never be what Pujols was, but the negotiations this November could turn out better.
This time, the Cardinals could get their guy. Some would argue they already have him.
