Two sources confirmed Wednesday afternoon to the Post-Dispatch that momentum was building for an agreement and that the deal was possibly as far along as notifying the involved players. A deal was finalized Wednesday afternoon.
Goldschmidt, 31, will be a free agent a year from now. The Cardinals have wanted to acquire a player who they could spend a season with and determine if the pairing is a lasting fit. If so, the Cardinals would then seek to extend Goldschmidt before he reaches free agency. They did not eagerly chase a window to negotiate an extension with Goldschmidt because they see how a year together could be mutually beneficial.