10 players who could replace Paul Goldschmidt at first for the Cardinals

According to Katie Woo at The Athletic, the St. Louis Cardinals do not intend on bringing Paul Goldschmidt back for the 2025 season. After spending the last six years with the Cardinals, the relationship between the two parties is likely coming to a close.

While with the Cardinals, Goldy accumulated 23.2 bWAR. He also won an MVP trophy, a Silver Slugger award, and a Gold Glove. Goldschmidt brought a lot of joy to the city of St. Louis, and he will certainly be missed. It's probable that he will be inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame down the road.

For years, Goldschmidt was a vacuum at first base. His glove will surely be missed, and his output from the offensive side of the game will have to be made up one way or another. He finished his time with the Cardinals with a .278/.360/.484 slash line and an OPS+ of 130. His Gold Glove is evidence of his plus defense.

It's possible Paul Goldschmidt returns at first base next year. He's eligible for a qualifying offer which is set at $21.05 million for 2025. That's a small decrease from Goldschmidt's 2024 salary of $22 million. The fear with offering this option to Goldschmidt is that he accepts it. The benefit of it is that if he declines, which he may if he is seeking a multi-year deal, the Cardinals will receive a compensatory pick in exchange.

There are plenty of candidates internally and externally who could feasibly replace Paul Goldschmidt at first base. Given the financial restrictions imposed by ownership and the organization's preference to protect its prospects, the team's internal candidates are probably the ones with the best shot at nabbing the first base job in 2025 and beyond.

John Mozeliak may have some financial freedom to sign a free-agent first baseman. There are a couple of viable replacements there. He could also seek to make a trade for a first baseman, particularly someone who is younger. Whatever route the Cardinals choose to fill the void at first base in 2025, there will be big shoes to fill.

These 10 first basemen could replace Paul Goldschmidt for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2025.