(PHOTO CREDIT:) DENVER, CO – JULY 02: Paul Goldschmidt #46 of the St. Louis Cardinals bats against the Colorado Rockies during a game at Coors Field on July 2, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Father time is undefeated in sports, but that doesn’t mean all players leave at the same time.

Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who turns 37 next week, has indicated he’ s committed to playing in the 2025 season, as he endures the worst statistical season of his career.

“Yeah, I want to play next year; I want to continue to play,” Goldschmidt told MLB.com’ John Denton in an interview.

Goldschmidt continued to Denton, brushing aside thoughts of a frustrating 2024 possibly pushing him into retirement. “Actually, I haven’t let any of my thoughts get past that statement right there. I owe it to this team and organization to give everything to this year, and that’s 100 percent where my thoughts are. But, yes, I want to keep playing.”

A seven-time All-Star, Goldschmidt has been one of the league’s top hitters since 2010, but right now is hitting a career-worst .244 with 20 home runs, 25 doubles, just 55 RBI, eight stolen bases, a .712 OPS and a 0.9 WAR through 130 games.

Just two years removed from winning the NL MVP, he is looking to bounce back next season.

Goldschmidt’s contract is set to expire in November, which means he is likely to enter free agency this winter. It’s a situation that both the veteran slugger and Cardinals are looking at closely, at St. Louis tries to hang on in the Wild Card race.

(please view https://www.mlb.com/news/paul-goldschmidt-commits-to-playing-in-2025-season for full quotes from John Denton’s interview)