These stars are top candidates for extensions

Extending Paul Goldschmidt wasn’t a difficult decision for the Cardinals. And plenty of other stars — all of whom are headed for free agency after the 2019 season — are logical candidates for an extension. Whether a deal can be worked out is another matter — and it makes the decision-making tougher. Should a player gamble on a bigger payday in free agency in exchange for upfront financial security? And how does the current free-agent market impact decisions? Here are 12 prominent candidates who are eligible to hit the market next year.