The Yankees are running it back with a familiar face, and this one brings plenty of hardware and veteran savvy to the Bronx.
Paul Goldschmidt is returning to New York on a one-year deal, per reports, opting to stay in pinstripes despite having more lucrative offers on the table. At 38, Goldschmidt isn’t chasing the biggest paycheck-he’s chasing the right fit, and clearly, he believes that’s still in the Bronx.
Goldschmidt’s 2025 season wasn’t vintage MVP form, but it was solid and strategic. He slashed .274/.328/.403 over 146 games, with 10 home runs. Those numbers might not jump off the page, but they tell the story of a player who still knows how to contribute-especially when deployed the right way.
That’s where the Yankees’ approach comes into play. Goldschmidt found a niche last year as the right-handed half of a first-base platoon, and the numbers back up that role.
Against left-handed pitching, he was a problem-posting a .981 OPS and launching seven homers in just 168 plate appearances. That’s the kind of production that can flip a game, especially late in the season when matchups matter most.
Against righties, the story was different. A .619 OPS with three homers suggests his bat doesn’t play quite the same way in those matchups.
But that’s where Ben Rice comes in. The Yankees clearly see value in pairing the two, creating a first-base tandem that can be tailored to opposing pitchers.
This move isn’t about star power-it’s about smart roster construction. Goldschmidt brings leadership, postseason experience, and a bat that still plays in the right spots.
For a Yankees team looking to take the next step, those ingredients matter. And for Goldschmidt, it’s a chance to chase another ring in a clubhouse and city he’s already bought into.
One year, one role, one goal. The Yankees and Goldschmidt are betting that’s a winning formula.