The St. Louis Cardinals made it clear early on that 2024 could be first baseman final season with the team. With Goldschmidt set to become a free agent and coming off a subpar 2023 season, the Cardinals chose to move in a different direction, opting for a youth-focused approach.
Goldschmidt didn’t remain on the market for long, signing a one-year, $12 million deal with the New York Yankees. Seeking an upgrade at first base, the Yankees saw potential in the former NL MVP and four-time Gold Glove winner.
After finalizing the deal, Goldschmidt took a moment to express his gratitude to Cardinals fans. On Sunday, he placed an ad in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch to thank them for their support during his six years with the team.
“Thank you for accepting me as one of your own,” Goldschmidt wrote. “Thank you for the cheers. Thank you for standing by me through the ups and downs.”
“Most importantly, thank you for the relationships and memories, which will last a lifetime! It was an honor to wear the Cardinals uniform and strive to uphold the tradition built by so many before me.”
Goldschmidt began his career with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he was a six-time All-Star. However, after the 2018 season, the Diamondbacks traded him to the Cardinals in exchange for three players and a draft pick, aiming to bolster their World Series aspirations.
Though the Cardinals didn’t achieve that goal, Goldschmidt remained a reliable contributor, winning the NL MVP in 2022 with a .317 average, .404 OBP, .578 slugging percentage, 35 home runs, and 115 RBI.
However, his performance declined afterward. In 2023, he posted a .245/.302/.414 slash line, with 22 home runs, 65 RBI, 70 runs, and 147 hits across 599 at-bats (154 games).
The Yankees, who fell just short of a World Series appearance last season, responded aggressively to their need for improvements, especially after Juan Soto’s massive move to the Mets. Among their various acquisitions, Goldschmidt was a key part of their efforts to improve at first base, a position that had seen inconsistent play with Anthony Rizzo and Ben Rice. While Goldschmidt’s offensive numbers have waned, his defensive prowess remains a strong asset.
Before embarking on his new chapter with the Yankees, Goldschmidt wanted to ensure the Cardinals fanbase knew how much their support meant to him.
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