Breaking News: Cardinals Will Feel the Loss of Their Former Fan Favorite More Than Ever
The St. Louis Cardinals are likely to miss one of their top fan favorites more deeply than anticipated. Leadership is an area where the team might be falling short.
The Cardinals have been one of MLB’s standout stories this season, currently holding a 33-25 record and trailing the NL Central-leading Cubs by just three games. This success is surprising, given the front office’s view of 2025 as a rebuilding year. Although a World Series title may be out of reach, a playoff appearance remains within grasp if the team maintains its current performance. This success comes despite the possible departure of Nolan Arenado, who remains available for trade, and the absence of Paul Goldschmidt.
The Cardinals allowed Goldschmidt to leave via free agency last winter. While he had a great career in St. Louis, his time with the team was ending. His final season was underwhelming, with a .245 batting average and a 1.3 WAR. However, Goldschmidt has revived his career with the New York Yankees, benefiting from new coaching and a fresh approach. In just two months, he has already outperformed his 2024 WAR, batting .338 with an .889 OPS.
What the Cardinals might miss most about Goldschmidt isn’t just his on-field production but his leadership in the clubhouse. After the Yankees’ disappointing loss to the Dodgers, the 37-year-old first baseman spoke wisely about staying focused and having faith in the season ahead.
Back in March, Cardinals players openly recognized how tough it would be to replace Goldschmidt’s presence in the locker room. They identified younger players like Arenado and Brendan Donovan as potential new leaders.
“Donnie is the obvious choice,” said Alec Burleson. “He has that leadership quality and cares about helping younger teammates. He could definitely take on that role.”
However, both Arenado and Donovan might be traded if the Cardinals’ current momentum falters. Arenado rejected a trade last winter but could be available in July. Donovan is harder to trade, but the rise of JJ Wetherholt in Double-A could make him expendable in the future.
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