With the addition of Christian Walker, the Astros eliminate the Cardinals’ corner infield options.
After being rejected, the Houston Astros recovered quickly, didn’t they?
The team turned back to the free agency market and signed first baseman Christian Walker to a three-year, $60 million contract only days after third baseman Nolan Arenado of the St. Louis Cardinals rejected a potential trade to the Astros. The Astros chose to lock up one of the top right-handed batters available on the market, despite speculations that Arenado may authorize a trade to Houston later this winter.
Houston was also a team that was strongly linked to former Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in free agency, in addition to being a possible bidder for Areando. Originally from the Houston region, Goldschmidt appeared like a perfect fit for the American League West juggernaut. He was sold to St. Louis before the 2019 season, and Walker took his position in Arizona.
Although a Paul Goldschmidt signing or a trade for Arenado hasn’t been completely ruled out, it seems like the least likely outcome right now. There is no longer a fit there unless the team wants to move Yordan Alvarez to the outfield and free up the DH slot for an Arenado or Goldschmidt, as the Astros recently acquired Isaac Parades to play third base in the Kyle Tucker deal.
However, it seems that both previous perennial All-Stars are being pursued by different parties. According to many sources, Goldschmidt is being pursued by teams such as the Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Washington Nationals, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Arizona Diamondbacks. Although Arenado’s market is still developing, teams like the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Angels, Yankees, and Mets, as well as, to a lesser extent, the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers, might all be potential destinations for him.
My prediction is that, unless anything materializes in the next day or so, we probably won’t see an Arenado trade until after the New Year, as Christmas is quickly approaching. I suspect that will be the case given his justification of wanting to explore what other possibilities could be available, and before Arenado’s trade market truly heats up, Alex Bregman will probably need to sign someplace.
Regarding Goldschmidt, it’s still unknown where he wants to play and what his deal timeline would include. Right now, I would probably guess that he will return to Arizona because it makes a lot of sense. The Mets or Yankees, however, could be the greatest suitors currently associated with him if winning a World Series is his main priority.
We now know that Goldschmidt will not be a Cardinal in 2025, and there is very little chance that Arenado will stay. Both players will depart the Cardinals with comparatively limited postseason success, but having achieved some amazing individual heights as players, particularly during the 2022 season. While playing together in St. Louis, Arenado and Goldschmidt did not win a single postseason game aside from Goldschmidt’s 2019 NLCS participation with the Cardinals.
With their new locations, whatever they may be, both will be trying to alter that narrative.
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