With their first prominent offseason move now in the books, the Tigers may be looking to follow up the Alex Cobb signing with some offensive help. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reports (via X) that Detroit has interest in seven-time All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who is a free agent for the first time in his 14-year career.
Acquiring Goldschmidt isn’t the type of blockbuster move it would’ve been just a few years ago, as the veteran is coming off the first true middling season of his long career. Goldschmidt had a perfectly average 100 wRC+ over 154 games and 654 plate appearances with the Cardinals in 2024, while batting .245/.302/.414 with 22 home runs. All three points of that slash line were career lows for Goldschmidt, and his strikeout, walk and chase rates were all well below the league average.
Since Goldschmidt turned 37 in September, it could be that he is simply hitting a decline phase after holding off Father Time for so long. That said, there is reason to believe the first baseman might still have something left in the tank for a 15th MLB season (or beyond). Most of Goldschmidt’s struggles were contained to the first half of the season, as he hit a more respectable .271/.319/.480 in 250 PA after the All-Star break. He has continued to blister the ball when he does make contact, as Goldschmidt had strong barrel rates and a hard-hit ball rate that ranked in the 92nd percentile of all batters.
Between the hard-contact numbers and Goldschmidt’s excellent track record, there is certainly reason for teams to think he might have a bounce-back season in a new environment. His age means that a one-year contract is likely, which fits the Tigers’ preference for shorter-term contracts. Recent reports have indicated that Detroit is known to be looking for one- or two-year deals for starting pitchers, and the team is also wary of making a play for any free agent attached to a qualifying offer. This would seemingly hamper the Tigers’ chances of signing another target in Christian Walker, so Goldschmidt could be viewed as alternative.
Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris has been vocal about his desire to add some veteran leadership to a young and talented club that reached the playoffs this season. Goldschmidt would certainly fill that role in the clubhouse, and his right-handed bat fits well in a very left-handed Detroit lineup.
The Tigers can use all the offense they can get considering the team’s lackluster hitting numbers in 2024, though installing Goldschmidt at first base begs the question of what will be done with Spencer Torkelson. The DH spot would allow Torkelson or Goldschmidt some at-bats when Kerry Carpenter is used in right field, though naturally Torkelson would be something of an odd man out in this situation.
It doesn’t appear as though Detroit is giving up on Torkelson’s potential, even though he has yet to show much consistency over parts of three MLB seasons. In an interview on MLB Network (hat tip to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press), Harris described Torkelson as “immensely talented. Just like these young guys, we got to stick with him. We got to keep finding ways to get a little bit more out of him.”
I’d like Goldy in Seattle please.
Goldy fits perfectly in San Francisco to platoon with LaMonte Wade (if he isn’t traded) and to DH when he’s not at firstbase. And Goldy doesn’t block LH Bryce Eldridge when he comes up mid-season.
Both you gentlemen are correct.
But Goldschmidt might realize that the Tigers are not just an up-and-coming team, but a legitimate playoff contender entering 2025.
Seattle was a game away with a historically bad offense.
I’ve said it many times we need singles not Soto
This seems to be the narrative with a lot of Giants fans, but Eldridge right now is a very poor defensive player. Maybe I am wrong, but I don’t think Posey is keeping 1st unblocked for a team he is building around pitching and defense. If Eldridge rakes in Sacramento, I think he might come up as a DH. Just my 2 cents.
Doesn’t make sense then. Would be a over pay. Other teams will be bidding on him to play 1b full time vs Giants bidding for a platoon and dh. Not to mention he may want to play 1b still and dh would be a turnoff.
He’d check a lot of boxes for being the kind of player/pro Posey wants.
I realize I’m a broken record but if Boston is to trade Casas, Goldie would be a very good one year option.
I can’t see him talking a one year deal. Probably gonna take 2 years.
0 Chance he ends up in Detroit.Torkelson won’t be traded(which they shouldn’t) Torkelson has been hitting the weights this offseason and looks like a greek god. He also has a new swing coach. 50 homeruns coming
Torkelson’s strength has never been his issue
tork has played in over 350 career games now, he has an ops of sub .700 and a career avg of .221, as a tigers fan i promise you he’s never hitting 50 career bombs
Torkelson already has 49 career home runs. Maybe you meant that he’ll never hit 50 bombs in a season? That’s probably true.
2 full seasons? oh no. Plenty of HOFers hitters didn’t become great till 25 age
The problem with Tork is not his muscles. It’s his 50″ hole in his swing! Looking like Zeus don’t help when your late on a 92 MPH fastball chief!
Tork can’t hit a fastball, kind of a problem
I guess there’s worse ways to get some offense at first base. This could work.
Go get Yandy Diaz if they are moving on from Tork. Or they could grab Lamonte Wade Jr and platoon him with Tork if they are going to keep Tork. Goldschmidt seems like an odd fit if they are moving on from Tork, as the 1B replacements like Briceno are a couple years away. Maybe they will move Keith or Jung there or convert Malloy or Carp to 1B?
Malloy has been tried at 1B, OF, and 3B. His best position is DH. They should just have him leave his glove home.
No Malloy hasn’t been tried at 1st base. That was just brought up the other day by a local beat writer
Staying healthy is a skill that Carp doesn’t possess. We should expect him to miss over half the season. Tork needs a change of scenery. It sucks to sell low on him, but it just ain’t happening in Detroit. Goldy at DH and 1B makes sense while we see what Malloy can be.
Malloy looked sharp in the playoffs. They need to get him more playing time.
Goldy from southwest area. My money is on DBacks or Astros
My $ is on whoever gives him the most $
Upvote. But that approach doesn’t always work. If Jansen was offered multi-year contracts, why did he sign for a one-year deal?
The catcher Jansen? I haven’t followed it. But more years doesn’t mean more $ per year. He could easily get the same amount next year. Or if he falls off a bit it will still be more $ than multi year. Florida is cheap place to live and work. Tampa may have told him we believe we can improve this part of your game aka make more $ next year. Maybe the offer was from a non contender. Not that tampa is a contender but if not they will certainly trade him to one. Most players will take 1 year 9m over 2 years 13m 14m 15m 16m. Bet on yourself.
Sorry, the question was rhetorical. Danny Jansen turned down more money, but spread over two years, to sign a one-year contract because he wants to use the 2025 season to increase his value for the next FA cycle.
I suspect that unless the Rays are in the hunt for a playoff spot, they will trade him at the trading deadline to a playoff-bound team. This situation will benefit him even more.
He and Arenado were quite vocal about not wanting to be leaders or even liking young players
That’s why the Cardinals brought in Crawford and Carpenter last year
@jeremyr… I can’t find anything on the web that supports that. In fact, all articles seem to say the opposite. If a player wants to play into his late 30’s-early 40’s, that would be a pretty dumb thing to be vocal about.
Question
If Goldy hits 38 more homers before he retires does he make the HOF? (Does he make it as is?). What career numbers or accomplishments would he need to make it?
Goldy makes the HOF if he hits 38 more French fries at Wendy’s. He’s in he passes the old school test. “Goldy yep that’s a Hall of Famer”. Don’t need metrics stats or WAR. he’s in
Was coming on to comment in the same vain. I think he is really close as is, but adding to his “counting stats” would help for sure. An MVP, two runner ups, 6 top 6 finishes, 62 WAR etc. I hope wherever he lands he has a bounce back kind of year.
Everything you posted is enough to make it but he’s just one of “those guys”. Everything about him just reeks Hall. Outside of stats he loves the game and has played it the right way that’s my push over the top of stats. He will represent the Hall as it deserves.
Yeah, I think you are right. A lot of writers who vote would probably agree with you as well.
Silly tripe.Loving the game is irrelevant, and “Playing the right way” has zero meaning. If it did, show me the where the definition of “the right way” is
Man who kicked your cat? You want the definition I gave it to you already. Goldy, Paul.
Well I can show you examples where not “playing it right” kept great players out. And I think that’s what the question is with Goldschmidt. He has the binaries is there any scandals that could keep him out? And there are not at least that I know of.
No he plays it the right way. Y’all are saying you don’t know the definition while describing the definition lol
Already in the hall of fame
I’d say that Goldschmidt will go in eventually, but it might take another 30 or 40 years for it to happen. Maybe sooner if he has one or two more good years in him.
Crazy talk. He’s not first ballot but he’s second ballot.
Everyone makes the HOF nowadays. It’s become a farce.
Not everyone. There are dozens of deserving players that aren’t in there. And dozens of undeserving players that are in there. But yeah, it is a farce.
This sounds like a great fit plus Hinch really has his head on straight there
Interesting rumor.
If they’re not going to flat-out trade him, the Tigers may think Tork needs to start ’25 in Toledo. It certainly worked for Parker to get that extra seasoning. While Tork is seasoning, Goldy could handle 1B.
Should Tork start raking like the Good Tork, they can bring him back up. Then the two can platoon @ 1B and get ABs at DH w/Carp for the rest of the year. Or maybe they flip Goldy at the trade deadline.
Either way, they’re not looking to add anyone too permanent at 1B with Josue Briceno knocking on the door in ’26 or ’27.
Ok, I’ll ask. Are the Pirates interested in. *anyone*?
Don’t worry.They got their hall of good player in the hall of fametoday
Yeah. That was about it for “good” news this year
Rightfully so. Not a have to have in guy but when you need to put someone in he’s there. Would have been better longer if not for injuries but he had a handful of great years and a long career. Has all the hardware.
Said this elsewhere but I have mixed emotions about this and can see the argument from both sides. But again, given what it takes to be enshrined, yeah, I guess he checks the boxes.
The HoF is a place rife with contradictions when it comes to character. To me, accomplishments alone should be the barometer
Lou Whitaker has a lifetime WAR of 75 vs. 40 for Dave Parker. Why is Parker in and not Sweet Lou?
Apparently because not enough voters look at war.
How many 900 ops seasons lou have? Led league in anything other than games? Mvp? World series?
To be honest it’s most least impressive war number that comes to my mind.
Lofton is in my hall though. What a fantastic player. If Lou had his stolen base numbers I would have him in.
Lofton one of the most underrated players ever.
Agree 100% about Lofton
There are always omissions in HoF scenarios, from baseball to football to the “Rock” Hall
Anytime you have a group of individuals with a say-so, you get a whole host of perceptions, preferences and personal biases. Is what it is
Doesn’t matter to me. I have my own hall, own Heisman trophy, declare my own national champion, own best picture winner.
Lofton is my analytics wet dream. Hits for average .299 career. Doesn’t strike out. Those guys usually don’t draw walks though but Lofton does. Steals a ton of bases. Plays elite defense. Only thing he didn’t do was hit hrs.
Rickey Henderson underrated as well. Yeah well known. Hall of famer. Still underrated. You name the greatest players who are ahead of him on those list and most don’t do what he could do. Rarity increases value.
Ohtani underrated. Cant be lower than number 2 of greatest of all time. We are seeing something no one has ever seen before.
Yep. Goldschmidt in Detroit makes all the sense in the world.
Great idea, his first day he’ll be the team leader and star. He’ll make a great bridge till the catcher/first base guy can come up. 150 hits is no joke and that would make him a star here. GO TIGERS !
Is Comerica really a good fit for Goldschmidt? Doesn’t it diminish HR effectiveness? Goldschmidt’s OBP wasn’t that great last year, so can they really live with 300 home PA for somebody with a .315 OBP and a lot of warning track fly outs?
Tigers can do better than 37 year old Goldschmidt. This is right in line with the cobb digging earlier though.
Comerica is a pretty neutral park. Its usually right in the middle for HRs. It has deeper power alleys, so there are lots of triples.
That’s why young speedsters like Parker Meadows are what they need. Max Clark is even faster.
Sign Goldy and trade Tork and Javy and another prospect to St Louis for Arenado
Why would any team take Baez’ contract? They won’t. It’s not happening.
Is the another prospect Jobe? Clark?
This is actually interesting. The Cards get Tork’s cheap, ultra high upside and the Javy contract cancels out the money left on Arenado’s deal.
With the log jam in the Tigers outfield why not put Carpenter at first or Greene since he has a hard time staying healthy. Greene plays like Griffey did put his body on the line every play.
Signing Cobb is NOT a prominent move. Signing Goldschmidt is an even bigger act of desperation. WtF is Harris doing???
Goldie is exactly what the Twins need. A RH hitting first baseman on a one year deal. Oh wait, we have exactly -20 million dollars to upgrade the team with this off-season. Sad.