Featured Columnist IVDecember 21, 2024
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The New York Yankees reportedly have eyes for free agent first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.
According to John Denton, Mark Feinsand and Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, “the Yankees’ interest in adding veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is rapidly increasing,” especially after free agent option Christian Walker instead signed with the Houston Astros.
As the MLB.com report added, Goldschmidt’s “potential presence in New York could have a strong influence on former teammate Nolan Arenado waiving his no-trade clause and agreeing to play for the Yankees if New York pursues a trade with St. Louis for the 10-time Gold Glove winner. The Yankees approached the Cardinals earlier this offseason about a deal for Arenado, sources said, but they were rebuffed because St. Louis had no interest in taking on the contract of veteran right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman.”
That would be a nice combination of additions for the Yankees after the team lost Juan Soto in free agency to the New York Mets this winter.
Goldschmidt, 37, hit .245 with 22 homers, 65 RBI and a .716 OPS in 2024. The seven-time All-Star and former NL MVP is no longer one of the top hitters in baseball, but he would provide a minor upgrade at first base for the Bronx Bombers.
Jon Heyman @JonHeyman
Paul Goldschmidt expected to choose a team soon. Yankees are interested. Other potential fits include AZ SF SEA and NYM. Pluses: Solid 2nd half of 2024 after uncharacteristic start, excellent overall résumé, great in clubhouse, very short term.
Bob Nightengale @BNightengale
While the Yankees still are showing strong interest in 1B Paul Goldschmidt, there’s plenty of competition:
The Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, Washington Nationals and New York Mets are all engaged in talks with Goldschmidt, too.
Stephen Meyer @StephenMeyerRDC
Goldschmidt just feels a lot like the old #Yankees moves for Lance Berkman, Kevin Youkilis, Beltran, Ichiro, etc.
Sure, sometimes you catch a brief moment in time of the past superstar, but age always wins. This is not the move.
Ditto for Arenado at third base, which in turn would allow the team to transition Jazz Chisholm Jr. to second base. The 33-year-old Arenado hit .272 with 16 homers, 71 RBI and a .719 OPS in 2024, arguably his worst season since his rookie campaign back in 2013.
If the Yankees responded to the loss of Soto by adding Goldschmidt and Arenado to their trio of big-name additions already this winter—Max Fried, Cody Bellinger and Devin Williams—it would be a solid offseason.
The MLB.com report noted that Goldschmidt’s desire to sign a multi-year deal has proven to be a “sticking point” in negotiations, however, which could ultimately hinder their shot at Arenado as well.
