Report: Rival evaluators believe D-Backs intend to move Goldschmidt
The Arizona Diamondbacks look like they want to blow things up.
With rumors already circulating about them willing to listen to offers for Paul Goldschmidt and Zack Greinke, some rival evaluators believe Arizona is intent on moving Goldschmidt as they enter a rebuild, reports ESPN's Buster Olney.
Even though Goldschmidt has been one of the National League's best players since 2013, the market for first basemen isn't strong.
One evaluator estimates the D-Backs' return for Goldschmidt would be more than what the Pittsburgh Pirates received for Andrew McCutchen from the San Francisco Giants, but less than what the Baltimore Orioles acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for Manny Machado, Olney adds.
| SF | PIT |
|---|---|
| Andrew McCutchen | Bryan Reynolds |
| Cash | Kyle Crick |
| Intl bonus money |
| LAD | BAL |
|---|---|
| Manny Machado | Rylan Bannon |
| Yusniel Diaz | |
| Dean Kremer | |
| Zach Pop | |
| Breyvic Valera |
The Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals already had reported talks with Arizona about the 31-year-old, who will reach free agency at the end of next season.
Rival executives tell Olney the Cardinals are open to discussing big ideas.
Goldschmidt finished sixth in NL MVP voting in 2018 (his fourth top-10 finish) even after a miserable May that featured a .144 batting average and .531 OPS. He finished the season hitting .290/.389/.533 with 33 home runs and 83 RBIs.
He's set to earn $14.5 million in 2019.