Paul Goldschmidt didn’t need an everyday role to make his presence felt in the Yankees’ 16-1 win over the Red Sox.
The 38-year-old veteran had been out of the lineup for a week while Luis Garcia Jr. handled first base against right-handed starters, but when Boston lined up a string of left-handers, Goldschmidt stepped right back into the spotlight.
He was one of the biggest reasons the game got out of hand. Goldschmidt drove a two-run single through the middle in the fifth inning to make it 2-0, then added a solo homer in the ninth inning of the game-breaking eight-run burst. He ended the day 3-for-6 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored.
“The guy could sit on the bench for a month and show up against a left-handed pitcher and do that,” Cone said on the YES Network after Goldschmidt’s homer, which came right after Austin Wells went deep and before Wells added another homer in the eighth.
Goldschmidt is now hitting .248 with 18 home runs and 48 RBI on the season, and he continues to give the Yankees a steady weapon off the bench since Garcia Jr. joined the mix.
“Yeah, he’s just got a great approach, great hitter, does a good job of really controlling the zone against them,” manager Aaron Boone told Meredith Marakovits of YES: “He’s outstanding at having a plan for each one he’s going to face. He can hit the ball with authority the other way, which helps, but yeah he continues to be excellent against [left-handers].”
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Anthony Volpe May Have Forced One More Yankees Decision
Anthony Volpes time in Triple-A has only strengthened the case for him to get another look in New York. After being optioned on Aug. 4 and losing his grip on the starting shortstop job, he has put together a productive stretch at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, with a solid batting line and enough extra-base damage to remind the Yankees why he was once viewed as such an important part of the infield picture.
September could now force one more decision for the club, especially with roster flexibility at a premium. Volpe does not need to return as the everyday shortstop to matter, either, because the Yankees could use him in a more limited role as infield depth and even as a bench option at second base if they decide his bat and versatility are worth bringing back into the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Yankees Just Turned To A Familiar Ex-Red Sox Arm Again
The Yankees dipped back into the waiver wire for a familiar bullpen arm, claiming right-hander John Schreiber from the Royals as they continue sorting through relief help down the stretch. Schreiber, 32, was effective enough in Kansas City to post a 3.65 ERA across 55 appearances, giving New York another experienced option as it keeps churning the back end of the roster.
Schreiber arrives as an impending free agent, which makes the move a low-risk bet for the Yankees as they look for stability without committing beyond this season. New York was able to add him without a corresponding roster move after designating Justin Topa for assignment, so the club gets a fresh arm in place and another bullpen decision to sort out later. [Read more 🡒]
Yankees Face A Catching Decision That Could Force A Tough Move
Mitch Garvers minor league deal with the Yankees has now reached a crossroads, thanks to an opt-out assignment clause that puts the rest of the league on the clock. Any team that wants to jump in must signal interest by the deadline, and if that happens, New York would have only 48 hours to either promote Garver to the active roster or work out a trade.
For the Yankees, the decision is less about Garver in a vacuum and more about what it means behind the plate. They are weighing a move that would bring him onto the big-league roster, but doing so would directly affect backup catcher Ali Sanchez and leave the club with a choice it may not want to make until the last possible moment. [Read more 🡒]