Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, while raving to the Post-Dispatch about why the Cardinals' trade for Paul Goldschmidt was the "steal of the century," predicted how this would play out.
A previous decision to accept an extension as an Arizona Diamondback had likely cost Goldschmidt millions. His ties to the players' union made some wonder if he would take his potential Hall of Fame production to free agency just to make a statement in the increasingly tense back-and-forth between owners and players this offseason. His ties to Houston and the Astros' interest in trading for the perennial All-Star and Gold Glove winner raised questions about if he would rather play for the team he cheered as a child.