The Rise and Fall of an MLB Power Duo: Goldschmidt and Arenado
In the landscape of Major League Baseball, certain player pairings evoke excitement and anticipation. In 2018, if asked about the premier third baseman, many would likely reference Nolan Arenado. Conversely, the best first baseman accolade would most probably land on Paul Goldschmidt. The prospect of these two talents coexisting on the same roster intrigued fans and analysts alike, particularly as both players enjoyed prolific careers prior to their eventual convergence on the St. Louis Cardinals.
Goldschmidt's transition to the Cardinals in 2018 marked a pivotal moment for the franchise. Getting the former Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman revitalized the team, allowing them to reach the postseason for the first time in four years in 2019. Although they faced a tough defeat against the eventual World Series champions in that postseason, the enthusiasm for a brighter future was palpable, particularly as the front office authorized a subsequent trade to acquire Arenado from the Colorado Rockies. The deal fell under the umbrella of the Rockies' apparent apathy towards winning, paving the way for a dynamic duo that combined for over a decade of All-Star appearances.
With Goldschmidt and Arenado unified in their lineup, excitement surged for the 2021 season. Both players performed commendably: Goldschmidt earned an MVP nomination while Arenado received his own Gold Glove award. Despite a strong overall performance, the Cardinals faced a gut-wrenching exit in the Wild Card Game—a sudden walk-off home run against them signaling the abrupt end of their season.
Following that roller coaster year, the Cardinals seemingly decided to shake things up by firing their manager. In a surprising move, the franchise pivoted towards optimizing its roster for future success while navigating the uncertainties that the competitive nature of baseball often brings.
The 2022 season emerged as a beacon of hope after a tumultuous previous year. The Cardinals dominated the NL Central, benefitting from an impressive performance from Goldschmidt, who captured the MVP award, while Arenado displayed his strongest season since leaving Colorado. The unexpected return of veteran slugger Albert Pujols added a nostalgic thrill, as he slammed 24 home runs, including a remarkable resurgence in the second half.
However, the thrill of that season’s success morphed into despair as the Cardinals fell to the Philadelphia Phillies in a shocking playoff upset. A game where the Cardinals led turned into a nightmarish finish as critical errors by both Goldschmidt and Arenado spurred a disastrous outcome for the team. This ignited a sense of foreboding about the duo's future together.
The Unraveling of a Dream Team
As the narrative unfolded, the Cardinals’ inability to replicate success led to a significant downturn in 2023, with a dismal finish placing them at the bottom of their division. The once formidable power duo began to show signs of aging and inconsistency—a stark contrast to their previously celebrated status.
Goldschmidt registered the worst season of his career, which was particularly jarring given his past accolades. Despite a somewhat rejuvenated performance in the latter half of the season, the Cardinals faced an insurmountable challenge indicative of a larger issue within the organization.
Looking Towards The Future: A Changing Landscape
With the conclusion of the 2023 season, the Cardinals made substantial roster changes, abandoning the once-promising tandem of Goldschmidt and Arenado. As both players set their sights on new teams—with Goldschmidt entering free agency and Arenado headed to the Yankees—the uncertainty looms for the Cardinals’ future.
Under the new guidance of Heim Bloom, the team appears to be embracing a strategy akin to that of the Tampa Bay Rays, focusing on analytical approaches and under-the-radar acquisitions to reconstruct a competitive roster. Given the state of the team's farm system, a fresh perspective may indeed deliver a revitalized Cardinals team, although fans are left questioning whether this shift will reclaim the glory of the past.
Reflecting on the rollercoaster rise and fall of Goldschmidt and Arenado alongside Pujols draws a bittersweet sentiment. What was anticipated as a historic stretch of baseball for the Cardinals quickly morphed into stories of missed opportunities and heartbreak. While 2025 promises potential change, it begs the question: what could have been had this powerful trio harnessed its talent more effectively?
This tale encapsulates the unpredictability of sports, as scripts change and timelines warp, leaving fans pondering the complexities of success, failure, and the often fleeting nature of greatness.
Part 1/8:
The Rise and Fall of an MLB Power Duo: Goldschmidt and Arenado
In the landscape of Major League Baseball, certain player pairings evoke excitement and anticipation. In 2018, if asked about the premier third baseman, many would likely reference Nolan Arenado. Conversely, the best first baseman accolade would most probably land on Paul Goldschmidt. The prospect of these two talents coexisting on the same roster intrigued fans and analysts alike, particularly as both players enjoyed prolific careers prior to their eventual convergence on the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Trade That Changed Everything
Part 2/8:
Goldschmidt's transition to the Cardinals in 2018 marked a pivotal moment for the franchise. Getting the former Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman revitalized the team, allowing them to reach the postseason for the first time in four years in 2019. Although they faced a tough defeat against the eventual World Series champions in that postseason, the enthusiasm for a brighter future was palpable, particularly as the front office authorized a subsequent trade to acquire Arenado from the Colorado Rockies. The deal fell under the umbrella of the Rockies' apparent apathy towards winning, paving the way for a dynamic duo that combined for over a decade of All-Star appearances.
Brief Success and Immediate Disappointment
Part 3/8:
With Goldschmidt and Arenado unified in their lineup, excitement surged for the 2021 season. Both players performed commendably: Goldschmidt earned an MVP nomination while Arenado received his own Gold Glove award. Despite a strong overall performance, the Cardinals faced a gut-wrenching exit in the Wild Card Game—a sudden walk-off home run against them signaling the abrupt end of their season.
Following that roller coaster year, the Cardinals seemingly decided to shake things up by firing their manager. In a surprising move, the franchise pivoted towards optimizing its roster for future success while navigating the uncertainties that the competitive nature of baseball often brings.
A Resilient Season Followed by Disappointment
Part 4/8:
The 2022 season emerged as a beacon of hope after a tumultuous previous year. The Cardinals dominated the NL Central, benefitting from an impressive performance from Goldschmidt, who captured the MVP award, while Arenado displayed his strongest season since leaving Colorado. The unexpected return of veteran slugger Albert Pujols added a nostalgic thrill, as he slammed 24 home runs, including a remarkable resurgence in the second half.
Part 5/8:
However, the thrill of that season’s success morphed into despair as the Cardinals fell to the Philadelphia Phillies in a shocking playoff upset. A game where the Cardinals led turned into a nightmarish finish as critical errors by both Goldschmidt and Arenado spurred a disastrous outcome for the team. This ignited a sense of foreboding about the duo's future together.
The Unraveling of a Dream Team
As the narrative unfolded, the Cardinals’ inability to replicate success led to a significant downturn in 2023, with a dismal finish placing them at the bottom of their division. The once formidable power duo began to show signs of aging and inconsistency—a stark contrast to their previously celebrated status.
Part 6/8:
Goldschmidt registered the worst season of his career, which was particularly jarring given his past accolades. Despite a somewhat rejuvenated performance in the latter half of the season, the Cardinals faced an insurmountable challenge indicative of a larger issue within the organization.
Looking Towards The Future: A Changing Landscape
With the conclusion of the 2023 season, the Cardinals made substantial roster changes, abandoning the once-promising tandem of Goldschmidt and Arenado. As both players set their sights on new teams—with Goldschmidt entering free agency and Arenado headed to the Yankees—the uncertainty looms for the Cardinals’ future.
Part 7/8:
Under the new guidance of Heim Bloom, the team appears to be embracing a strategy akin to that of the Tampa Bay Rays, focusing on analytical approaches and under-the-radar acquisitions to reconstruct a competitive roster. Given the state of the team's farm system, a fresh perspective may indeed deliver a revitalized Cardinals team, although fans are left questioning whether this shift will reclaim the glory of the past.
Conclusion: A Waste of Talent?
Part 8/8:
Reflecting on the rollercoaster rise and fall of Goldschmidt and Arenado alongside Pujols draws a bittersweet sentiment. What was anticipated as a historic stretch of baseball for the Cardinals quickly morphed into stories of missed opportunities and heartbreak. While 2025 promises potential change, it begs the question: what could have been had this powerful trio harnessed its talent more effectively?
This tale encapsulates the unpredictability of sports, as scripts change and timelines warp, leaving fans pondering the complexities of success, failure, and the often fleeting nature of greatness.