D-backs’ trade haul for Goldschmidt dinged for lack of star power

America’s First Baseman is no longer Arizona’s first baseman. Paul Goldschmidt was traded by the Diamondbacks to the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday in exchange for three players and a competitive balance round B draft pick.

Pitcher Luke Weaver, catch Carson Kelly and infielder prospect Andy Young will join the D-backs from the Cardinals.

None of those three players were on St. Louis’ list of top-30 prospects, per MLB.com. Weaver and Kelly were no longer eligible for it because of their recent MLB experience.

Weaver is a 25-year-old starting pitcher who posted a 7-11 record and 4.95 ERA last year, a dropoff from his production in 2017 when he started 10 games and went 7-2 with a 3.88 ERA.

Kelly hasn’t been able to provide much on offense in the majors but could fill a need after Arizona lost veteran Jeff Mathis in free agency.

Young is viewed as an up-and-comer. He excelled in the Arizona Fall League this year with his power and combined with a relatively high draft pick sweetens the Goldschmidt trade as a whole. Could the D-backs have gotten more for Goldschmidt, who will help the Cardinals contend but will land them with the risk that he leaves them as a free agent next summer?

Maybe, maybe not.

Here’s a collection of opinions about what Arizona received in exchange for their former franchise first baseman.

FanGraphs believes the D-backs did well for themselves.

On the other hand, the Diamondbacks got two major league-ready starters, another decent prospect, and added another top-100 pick to their potential haul next season, where they will have eight picks in the top 100 so long as they don’t bring back A.J. Pollock. It has to hurt to see Paul Goldschmidt go, but this trade should accelerate the team’s window for contention even if they don’t go for it this year.

It's a good and fair trade for both sides, several executives say, but it's tough on the #Dbacks fanbase seeing their heart and soul walk out of the door in classy Paul Goldschmidt

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 5, 2018

Immediate reaction from rival exec on #DBacks’ return for Goldschmidt: “A boatload” (Only he didn’t say boat). Five years control on Weaver, six on Kelly, plus pick in 70 to 75 range; Young fringy. #STLCards will call it a win, too. Kept Dakota Hudson, Kelly blocked by Yadi.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 5, 2018

I think they can reasonably call it a win. Luke Weaver needs a third pitch badly, wasn’t viewed as a rotation lock and many believe Andrew Knizner has overtaken Carson Kelly as the catcher of the future. https://t.co/VYsNqHstAE

— Mark Saxon (@markasaxon) December 5, 2018

Other execs not high on #DBacks’ return for Goldschmidt, with one saying, “Where is the star power?” Fair point, especially considering regressions of Weaver and Kelly. But young players do not always progress in linear fashion. Change of teams might do both good.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 5, 2018

Arizona bought low on Luke Weaver and Carson Kelly. Weaver saw his K rate tick back in 2018 but is 25 with five years of control. Kelly is a high-on-base catcher, got stuck behind Yadier Molina. Andy Young is very interesting. Gets on base, hits ball hard, plays all IF positions.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 5, 2018

The allure of Carson Kelly: great glove, excellent makeup. If he hits — he's got a good swing and is athletic — he's a star. Luke Weaver was really good in 2017, mediocre in 2018. Trade may hinge on who he really is. I've heard from six front offices, and all love the return.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 5, 2018

3 evaluators have generally said #Diamondbacks did not get 1 stud prospect back, but rather potential upside/control. But said considering 1b/31/1 yr to fr agcy the return was fine. 1 of evaluators was from NL Central said this: "But now I have to see Goldschmidt 19 times. Ow."

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 5, 2018

Luke Weaver was one of my biggest busts among 2018 picks, but the move to Arizona does improve his rebound prospects. The team should be more patient with him as a regular member of the rotation — less competition for spots — and he'll have a stronger infield defense behind him.

— Tristan H. Cockcroft (@SultanofStat) December 5, 2018

Follow @AZSports