The New York Yankees Secure Paul Goldschmidt to Address First Base Shortage
The NY Yankees are running out of space underneath their Christmas tree due to their overflowing roster.
They secured former MVP Paul Goldschmidt on Saturday, further enhancing a lineup that already benefits from Max Fried, Cody Bellinger, and Fernando Cruz, among others.
Goldschmidt landed a one-year, $12.5 million contract with no conditions attached.
At 37, Goldschmidt, a right-handed batter, has seen a decline since his 2022 MVP season but will still improve upon the performances of Anthony Rizzo, Ben Rice, DJ LeMahieu, and others who occupied the position last year in the Bronx.
Four Gloves of Gold
The 6'3" first baseman boasts four Gold Gloves for his defensive prowess and complements Bellinger, a left-handed hitter, in compensating for Juan Soto's departure. Soto journeyed to the opposite side of town, signing with the Mets while exploring free agency options.
A newly available free agent, Goldschmidt made his MLB debut with Arizona, extended his contract with the Diamondbacks, and remained with them until 2019, when he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals.
The six-time All-Star claimed five Silver Sluggers, scoring 362 home runs throughout a career confined to the National League. He maintains a lifetime batting average of .289.
Goldschmidt's addition should bolster New York's performance against left-hand pitchers. Last year, he batted .295 against lefties, experiencing a strong finish (.271 after the All-Star break) before entering the free agent market.
Goldschmidt's inclusion in the Yankees' uniform means a likely outfield role for Bellinger. Capable of handling any of the outfield spots, including center, where Aaron Judge felt uncomfortable in 2024, Bellinger's adaptability should prove beneficial for New York.
Yankees Package Deal
The signing also hints at the team's intention to station DJ LeMahieu at third and Jazz Chisholm, Jr., at second. Chisholm spent the majority of last summer at third base. Another signing is a possibility, particularly considering Alex Bregman's ongoing free agency and Nolan Arenado – Goldschmidt's former teammate in St. Louis – being up for trade.
New York had leftover funds to invest in free agents, with Soto turning down their $760 million proposal. Fried, the first player signed by New York, secured an eight-year, $218 million deal – a record for left-handed pitchers.
The Goldschmidt deal reportedly concluded the negotiations between the Yankees and Pete Alonso, former Mets first baseman, who remains unsigned. Christian Walker, another potential signing, instead opted for the Houston Astros earlier this week. Carlos Santana also remains available on the market.
Goldschmidt opted for a pay reduction to join the Yankees, earning $22 million in St. Louis last summer according to Roster Resource.
The New York Yankees' acquisition of Paul Goldschmidt also suggests a potential shift in their infield, with DJ LeMahieu moving to third base and Jazz Chisholm, Jr., taking over at second.
Alex Bregman's free agency status and Nolan Arenado's availability for trade could further shape the Yankees' infield.
Given Pete Alonso's ongoing negotiations with the Yankees, Goldschmidt's arrival may have impacted his potential signing, as Christian Walker chosen the Houston Astros instead earlier this week.
The addition of Goldschmidt, a former teammate of Nolan Arenado at the St. Louis Cardinals, could also potentially impact any trade discussions regarding Arenado.
Paul Goldschmidt, who opted for a pay reduction to join the Yankees, will likely strengthen their lineup, especially against left-hand pitchers, considering his strong performance against them in the previous season.
