Goldschmidt writes emotional letter to club and to Diamondbacks fans

A three-time Gold Glove winner at first base, Goldschmidt could be a free agent after the 2019 season.

Calling it "very hard to say goodbye," former Arizona first baseman Paul Goldschmidt wrote an emotional letter to the club and to Diamondbacks fans, thanking them for their support.

The Arizona Republic newspaper published the letter Sunday in a full-page ad.

Goldschmidt, a six-time All-Star who finished top three in MVP voting three times, finishing second twice and third once, was traded earlier this month to the St. Louis Cardinals.

A three-time Gold Glove winner at first base, Goldschmidt could be a free agent after the 2019 season.

"There is something incredibly special about the place where you first see your dreams come true," wrote Goldschmidt, who made his major league debut with Arizona in 2011. "That's what Arizona is to me, and man, is this place special. That makes it very hard to say goodbye," he added.

"As a community, you welcomed me and my family with open arms. As a franchise, you took a chance on me and gave me the opportunity to play the game I love," the letter continued.

"Thank you to all of the fans who have supported me over the years, staying loyal through the ups and downs. "Thank you to the ownership and front office for believing in a 21-year-old kid from Texas, and thank you to the employees for taking such great care of me and my family."

Goldschmidt is a career .297 hitter with 209 home runs and 710 RBIs in eight seasons. The Diamondbacks drafted him in the eighth round of the 2009 amateur draft out of Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

The Cardinals traded right-hander Luke Weaver, catcher Carson Kelly and infielder Andy Young to acquire Goldschmidt.