Tigers Eyeing Paul Goldschmidt for Offensive Boost

With the signing of Alex Cobb marking their first significant move of the offseason, the Detroit Tigers are now shifting their focus towards bolstering their offense. According to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Tigers have expressed interest in seven-time All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who is entering free agency for the first time in his 14-year career.


Although acquiring Goldschmidt may not be the blockbuster move it once was, given his recent performance, his potential contribution should not be underestimated. In 2024, Goldschmidt posted a 100 wRC+ over 154 games and 654 plate appearances with the Cardinals, hitting .245/.302/.414 with 22 home runs. These numbers, while average, marked career lows for Goldschmidt in several key areas, including strikeout, walk, and chase rates.


At 37 years old, it is possible that Goldschmidt is experiencing the inevitable decline that comes with age. However, there are promising signs that he still has valuable contributions to make. Most of Goldschmidt’s struggles were limited to the first half of the season. In the second half, he managed a more respectable .271/.319/.480 slash line over 250 plate appearances. His ability to make solid contact remains strong, with impressive barrel rates and a hard-hit ball rate ranking in the 92nd percentile among all batters.


The Tigers are likely hoping that a change of scenery and a fresh start will help Goldschmidt tap into the form that made him one of the most feared hitters in the league. If Goldschmidt can replicate his second-half performance over a full season, he could provide the offensive boost that Detroit needs.


As the offseason continues, it will be interesting to see if the Tigers can secure Goldschmidt and how this potential addition could shape their lineup for the upcoming season.