:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62632653/1033370248.jpg.0.jpg)
There have been rumors of a deal sending Paul Goldschmidt from the Diamondbacks to the Cardinals for a few weeks now.
Wednesday afternoon, it happened:
Welcome to Arizona! The #Dbacks have acquired right-handed pitcher Luke Weaver, catcher Carson Kelly, infielder Andrew Young and a 2019 Competitive Balance Round B draft pick from the Cardinals in exchange for Paul Goldschmidt. pic.twitter.com/ylANMvt8kU
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) December 5, 2018
That’s actually a pretty good deal for both sides. The D-backs, having lost Patrick Corbin to free agency, appear to be either retooling or rebuilding. Luke Weaver is a pretty good starter, Carson Kelly will step in to catch at Arizona, and they’ll get an extra draft pick as well.
But for the Cubs... this is not good news at all. Goldschmidt now goes from playing six or seven games against the Cubs every year to facing them 19 times, and Goldy is a Cub-killer. The only possible saving grace here is that Goldschmidt is under contract only through 2019; after next season he’ll be a free agent. Sure, it’s possible the Cardinals will sign him to an extension, but it might be a one-year thing, too.
Lifetime against the Cubs, Goldschmidt has hit .353/.471/.699 with 14 home runs in 153 at-bats. The 1.170 OPS is his best against any team.
At Wrigley Field, he’s been not quite as dominant, but still very good: .337/.433/.578, five home runs in 83 at-bats. Here’s a home run [VIDEO] he hit off Luke Farrell at Wrigley Field last July. (Farrell, of course, is no longer a Cub.)
The only good news for the Cubs is that he hits Brewers pitching almost as well: .366/.478/.652, 10 home runs in 164 at-bats.
Welcome to the N.L. Central, Paul Goldschmidt. This deal makes the Cardinals quite a bit better against their closest rivals, and gives Cubs pitchers a tougher task whenever St. Louis is the opponent.