First baseman Paul Goldschmidt and the New York Yankees officially completed their one-year, $12.5 million contract on Monday. Goldschmidt had initially agreed to the deal on December 21, pending a successful physical.
Goldschmidt’s signing marks the Yankees’ fourth major addition since the trade of Juan Soto to the New York Mets.
Other new acquisitions include left-handed pitcher Max Fried, closer Devin Williams, and outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger. With Goldschmidt now on board, it’s expected that Bellinger will primarily play in the outfield.
A seven-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner, and 2022 NL MVP, Goldschmidt joins a lineup featuring fellow MVPs Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Bellinger.
He became a free agent after finishing a five-year, $130 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Goldschmidt spent his first eight seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the last six with the Cardinals. In 2023, he posted a career-low
.245 batting average, hitting 22 home runs and driving in 65 RBIs. However, he rebounded in the second half of the season, batting .283 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs since July 28.
Against left-handed pitchers, Goldschmidt batted .295 with five home runs, 16 RBIs, and an .839 OPS in 167 plate appearances.
Versus right-handed pitchers, he hit .230 with 17 home runs, 49 RBIs, and a .675 OPS in 487 plate appearances.
Goldschmidt boasts a career .289 batting average, 362 home runs, and 1,187 RBIs over his time with the Diamondbacks (2011-18) and Cardinals (2019-24). In 2022, he posted a .317 average with 35 home runs, 115 RBIs, and a .981 OPS.
The Yankees may still be on the lookout for a third baseman and left-handed relievers, as they currently have no lefty relievers on their 40-man roster.
