Paul Goldschmidt was a six-time All-Star, won four Silver Sluggers, and three Gold Gloves while playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was also a two-time runner-up for the National League MVP award. However, when his contract was up, Arizona's management knew he was unlikely to re-sign with the team. Therefore, after the 2018 season, they traded Goldschmidt to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he signed a long-term contract.
In his first season with the Cardinals, Goldschmidt hit 34 home runs with an OPS of .821. Despite the COVID-shortened 2020 season, he managed to maintain a high level of performance with an OPS of .833. Goldschmidt continued his impressive run in 2021, finishing sixth in the MVP voting with 31 home runs, 99 RBI, and an OPS of .879. However, the Cardinals were hoping for an even better performance from him.
In 2022, Goldschmidt finally won the MVP award he had been chasing for so long. He hit 35 home runs, with 115 RBIs, and boasted a Slash Line of .317/.404/.578. Goldschmidt led the league in Slugging, OPS (.981), and OPS+ (177). He also won the Silver Slugger and added another All-Star selection to his first All-MLB 1 Selection.
However, in 2023, Goldschmidt had a pedestrian season with 25 HR and an .810 OPS. For the first time since 2014, he did not receive an MVP vote. This could be a sign of decline or just a blip in what could be a Hall of Fame career. Only time will tell, and 2024 holds the answer.
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