Trevor Plouffe names Twins in Paul Goldschmidt trade talker

The Cardinals are 15 games below .500 with Goldschmidt being one of the few players not having a down season. The first baseman is slashing .284/.370/.482 with 15 home runs and 46 RBI.

If you're wondering how that stacks up against a Twins offense that has been downright abysmal for large portions of this season, Goldschmidt would lead the Twins in batting average, slugging percentage and RBIs.

Goldschmidt has just one year left on his deal with St. Louis and at 35 makes an ideal candidate on a struggling team to offload and get prospects in return.

"With one year left on his contract, Goldschmidt would be a tremendous fit in the middle of any lineup -- though with a full no-trade clause, he would need to be on board with any deal for it to happen," said ESPN's Jeff Passan in a June article looking at potential trade candidates.

Saint Louis's front office will need convincing of any moves though as President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak told reporters earlier this month that "we’re not looking to blow up this team, but we are looking to find ways to improve this team."

The Athletic's Katie Woo discussed a potential trade of Goldschmidt saying:

The concept has been floated around plenty: Goldschmidt, last year’s National League MVP, a respected leader throughout the sport and a likely Hall of Famer, could be a potential trade candidate this summer. In theory, the idea makes sense. Goldschmidt’s final year of his five-year, $130 million contract is next season. He will turn 36 this summer. The haul for Goldschmidt would be massive. The Cardinals could jump-start whatever degree of restructuring they feel necessary.

The reality? Not happening, and that’s even without taking into consideration Goldschmidt’s no-trade clause. As Mozeliak stated, the Cardinals are avoiding a rebuild. They aim to contend next season. If that’s the organization’s goal, the last thing it needs is young, unproven talent. The Cardinals need experienced, established names to complement the young talent already rostered. If the Cardinals shop Goldschmidt, it would indicate a true teardown, something Mozeliak has avoided throughout the entirety of his tenure as president of baseball operations and has already voiced his reluctance to do this summer. The most likely scenario for Goldschmidt? A two-year extension at the end of the year.

As much of a boost as it would be to the Twins sluggish offense it looks unlikely that a blockbuster deal for Goldschmidt could be pulled off, unless Minnesota sends an enormous package with talent on the cusp of being MLB ready (at a minimum) to the Cardinals.