ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Arizona Diamondbacks trade Paul Goldschmidt to St. Louis Cardinals

Dec 5, 2018, 3:10 PM | Updated: 8:39 pm

The Arizona Diamondbacks have traded first baseman Paul Goldschmidt to the St. Louis Cardinals.

In return for Goldschmidt, the D-backs receive prospects catcher Carson Kelly, right-handed pitcher Luke Weaver, infielder Andrew Young and a 2019 competitive balance round B draft pick.

“I would like to personally thank Paul Goldschmidt for everything he did as a D-back,” said D-backs executive vice president & general manager Mike Hazen in a statement. “It’s not often you come across a player of his caliber who carries himself with such selflessness and humility, both on and off the field, while representing the organization and the state of Arizona.”

Kelly, 24, has a career .154 batting average in 131 plate appearances over three years with the Cardinals. He is ranked by Baseball America as baseball’s third-best catching prospect.

In 25 starts for the Cardinals last season, Weaver had a 4.95 ERA. He was a first-round pick by the Cardinals in 2014 and the team’s Minor League Player of the Year in 2016.

Young hit .319 in 35 games for Double-A Springfield in 2018.

Goldschmidt has one year left on his deal worth $14.5 million. With the belief that the D-backs would not be able to re-sign Goldschmidt to a contract extension, the 31-year-old was linked to trade talks this offseason.

Arizona lost starting pitcher Patrick Corbin in free agency after he reportedly agreed to a six-year, $140 million deal with the Washington Nationals. Outfielder A.J. Pollock is also a free agent and Zack Greinke has also been in trade reports, with USA Today’s Bob Nightengale saying he would be stunned if the D-backs did not deal Greinke.

With more than 1,000 games played, Goldschmidt is a .297 career hitter with 209 home runs and 710 RBI. Last season, the three-time Silver Slugger Award winner hit .290 with a .922 OPS, 33 home runs, 83 RBI and 95 runs scored. He has never hit lower than .286 for a full season.

Goldschmidt is widely seen as one of the D-backs’ greatest players of all time. He has made six straight All-Star teams since 2013, won three Gold Gloves and has finished in the top-3 of MVP voting on three separate occasions.

Goldschmidt is the franchise leader in walks, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS. He’s second all-time in franchise history for runs, hits, doubles, homers and RBI.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Blake Snell...

Associated Press

Blake Snell and San Francisco Giants agree to $62 million, 2-year contract, AP source says

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a $62 million, two-year contract.

3 hours ago

Zac Gallen...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen named Opening Day starter

The Arizona Diamondbacks named Zac Gallen the starter for Opening Day on March 28 when the Colorado Rockies come to Chase Field.

4 hours ago

Merrill Kelly...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly, Zac Gallen building strong outings with Opening Day near

Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly followed Zac Gallen's scoreless outing Sunday with one of his own Monday against the Athletics.

5 hours ago

Alek Thomas, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder...

Kevin Zimmerman

D-backs’ Alek Thomas found confidence with just 2 swings in 2023 playoffs

Two Alek Thomas home runs during the 2023 playoff run for the Arizona Diamondbacks helped build his confidence. You can guess one of them.

9 hours ago

Alek Thomas...

Alex Weiner

NL West preview: Where do the Diamondbacks fit in a new-look division?

No division was more prevalent in the news cycle than the NL West. Here's a preview of the Dodgers, D-backs, Giants, Padres and Giants.

13 hours ago

Corbin Martin...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks option RHPs Corbin Martin, Slade Cecconi in final week of spring training

The Diamondbacks continued to clear up roster battles by optioning pitchers Corbin Martin, Slade Cecconi and Blake Walston Triple-A.

14 hours ago

Arizona Diamondbacks trade Paul Goldschmidt to St. Louis Cardinals