REPORT: Twins, D-Backs Discussing Paul Goldschmidt Trade

https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/1065028331698040832

Goldschmidt has been one of the most consistent players in the National League over the better part of the last decade. He’s been an All-Star for six straight seasons and added three Gold Gloves and four Silver Sluggers. During that same stretch, he’s finished in the top-3 for MVP voting three times.

Entering his age-31 season, Goldschmidt hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. Last year, he hit .290/.389/.533 with 33 home runs and 35 doubles. Since 2013, he has the third highest fWAR in all of baseball. Only Mike Trout and Josh Donaldson are higher than him on that list.

Goldschmidt has one more year remaining on his contract and he is due to make $14.5 million next season. Minnesota would likely need to surrender multiple top prospects in a Goldschmidt deal. It’s also tough to paint the team in “win-now mode.” There’s no guarantee Goldschmidt re-signs with the team trading for him and he will likely want to test the free agent waters.

Goldschmidt might be keeping an eye on some of the big free agents this off-season to see what kind of market develops. Last year, there were multiple instances of players having to settle for contracts that might have been deemed below average. Goldschmidt might want the security of a long-term deal before hitting free agency, especially since he will be in his early 30s.

If Minnesota trades for him now, they would still be able to offer him a qualifying offer. He’d turn it down and then the club could get compensatory draft pick if he decided to sign elsewhere. If they waited to acquire him in the season, Goldschmidt wouldn’t be eligible for a qualifying offer.

Lots of teams might be interested in trading for Goldschmidt, but the Twins interest might not be all that serious.

https://twitter.com/DanHayesMLB/status/1065060404617990144

There’s no denying that Goldschmidt is a great player but only one year of team control is definitely a deterrent.

What do you think it would take to get Goldschmidt? Do the Twins need him for next season? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.