12/22/2024
BREAKING: The Yankees are signing former MVP Paul Goldschmidt to a one-year/$12.5M contract. The 37-year-old will be Anthony Rizzo’s replacement as the team’s first baseman.
Let’s cut to the chase. Many will be concerned about his age and clear regression over the past couple seasons (I was too for a while).
While Goldschmidt slashed just .241/.302/.414 in 2024, he finished strong with a .799 OPS in the 2nd half. Even with his age, he’s still hitting the ball incredibly hard (92nd percentile in hard hit rate).
And without needing any caveats, he raked against lefties in 2024 with an .839 OPS against them. This could set up an easy lane for a possible platoon with the 25-year-old Ben Rice.
For me, that was enough to get me on board at this price. But also keep in mind too that Goldschmidt was playing for a miserable Cardinals team. Now he puts on the pinstripes and will compete for a World Series. I think you all know what I’m getting there.
This also just about guarantees the Yankees will ALSO be adding a legitimate 2nd baseman too. I highly doubt, with Goldschmidt making just $12.5M, that we will see any of DJLM, Oswald Peraza, etc starting on Opening Day.
Cashman is cooking. Let’s fu***ng roll
