The team’s two lineup centerpieces, Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado, experienced notable decline. Arenado reached base at a similar rate as 2023 but provided less power. The decline for Goldschmidt was more significant, and 2024 marked the second straight year that he took a big step backward.

When Goldschmidt left Arizona it was in an offseason trade, so he had no way of knowing that his last home game would be his last home game, and no reason to go out of his way to soak in any memories or make any emotional stops on his last spin through the ballpark.

Goldschmidt is a free agent after the season and even though Arenado is signed through 2027, there's no guarantee he'll remain in St. Louis.