Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals Fan Favorite Reportedly Could Join Dark Forces With Pesky NL Central Rival

Will the beloved St. Louis slugger sign with the division rival?
Nate Hagerty|
May 15, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (46) hits a one run double against the Milwaukee Brewers during the second inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 15, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (46) hits a one run double against the Milwaukee Brewers during the second inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

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St. Louis CardinalsMilwaukee Brewers

The St. Louis Cardinals haven't won the National League Central since 2022 when Adam Wainwright, Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols were still on the team.

Much has changed within the organization since the Cardinals were crowned division champs. Sadly, it could take a couple more seasons before St. Louis is a perennial contender for the NL Central pennant as the organization prioritizes fixing its broken player development system.

Unfortunately, a Cardinals fan favorite might find himself on the top of the divisional throne with one of St. Louis' most pestering rivals in recent years.

Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt was mentioned as a top fit for the Milwaukee Brewers this upcoming offseason, according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden's article from Thursday, where he outlined potential landing destinations for this winter's top free agents. The St. Louis veteran will soon become a free agent for the first time and is predicted to receive a one-year deal worth roughly $15 million.

Although the Brewers aren't the Cardinals' biggest rival, -- that would be the Chicago Cubs -- the Brewers have won the NL Central the last two seasons and are equipped with a youthful and talented roster that should be in the running for the division title for years to come.

Seeing Goldschmidt in a Milwaukee uniform next season would be almost as difficult as seeing him in blue pinstripes, given how competitive the rivalry has grown between the Brewers and Cardinals over the last decade.

The Brew Crew has won four out of the last seven NL Central titles. The possibility of watching Goldschmidt -- a beloved player to the Cardinals fan base -- help Milwaukee win its third consecutive division title next season would be another dagger to St. Louis fans' already aching hearts.

Milwaukee's first baseman, Rhys Hoskins, might opt out of his contract this winter, opening the door for the Brewers to sign five-time Silver Slugger Goldschmidt at a much lower rate.

Considering the Brewers are a small-market team, they'll look to replace Hoskins as cheaply as possible and Goldschmidt would be a perfect fit -- relatively inexpensive with loads of potential and who would be a solid influence for the young Milwaukee roster.

More MLB: Beloved Cardinals $130 Million Star Seen As Favorite To Sign With Yankees, Per Source

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Nate Hagerty
NATE HAGERTY

Nate Hagerty joined “Inside The Cardinals” as a content creator to spread knowledge about his favorite childhood team. A hometown native of Boston, Hagerty chose at an early age of six years old to follow the St. Louis Cardinals. The miraculous season of 04’ for the Red Sox did not deter Hagerty from rooting against his hometown team, nor did it in 2013 against the Red Birds. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu 

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