Colorado Rockies
The Rockies played October baseball for the second consecutive season in 2018, but they didn’t accomplish that with an asset at first base. Their -1.8 cumulative fWAR at the position was better than only the Baltimore Orioles (-3.8), who accomplished that thanks to a historically bad season from Chris Davis.
Ian Desmond was the main culprit who played the most first base for Colorado. He did hit 22 home runs, stole 22 bases, and collected 88 RBI despite a league-worst 62.0% ground-ball rate, but he was far from an asset based on his 81 wRC+ and -0.7 fWAR. He also wasn’t a positive contributor with the glove, evidenced by his -6 Defensive Runs Saved.
We know what Goldschmidt can do offensively (he has a 1.023 OPS in 289 career plate appearances at Coors Field, too), but he also posted 6 Defensive Runs Saved for Arizona in 2018. After punting first base last winter, this would be the ultimate win-now move as Nolan Arenado enters his final year before free agency.
Of course, the elephant in the room would be Arizona having to strike a deal with an NL West foe.
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