Cards, Goldschmidt officially announce deal through 2024

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt will be a Cardinal through the 2024 season, St. Louis officially announced on Saturday.

Goldschmidt and the Cardinals agreed on a five-year extension that will take effect following the 2019 season and pay $130 million.

St. Louis acquired the slugging first baseman in a trade in December that sent pitcher Luke Wesver, catcher Carson Kelly and minor leaguer Andy Miller to Arizona.

St. Louis president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said he originally expected to try to negotiate the deal during the season. But after learning a few weeks ago that Goldschmidt would be receptive to the idea, talks progressed faster than expected.

A six-time All-Star, Goldschmidt’s won four sliver slugger awards and three gold gloves.

A career .297 hitter with 209 homers, the 31-year-old is hitting .283 this spring. Both of his Grapefruit League homers have come in the last week.

Goldschmidt will be in the lineup against Washington on Saturday.