The Yankees are bringing back a familiar face - and a proven bat - to bolster their roster for another postseason push.
Veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is returning to the Bronx for a second season, agreeing to a one-year deal that gives the Yankees a right-handed counterpunch at first base. The move, first reported Friday night, adds a layer of depth and experience to a team that’s clearly not content standing pat after a 94-win campaign in 2025 that ended in a Division Series loss to the eventual AL champion Blue Jays.
Goldschmidt, 38, isn’t coming back to be the everyday guy at first - that job still belongs to rising star Ben Rice, who made serious waves in his rookie season. But the Yankees are playing the matchups here.
Rice and fellow lefty Austin Wells won’t be left to fend for themselves against elite southpaws. Goldschmidt’s role is clear: mash lefties, mentor the kids, and be ready when the moment calls.
And when it comes to hitting left-handed pitching, Goldschmidt still brings the thunder. Last season, he hit a scorching .336 with a .981 OPS against lefties - numbers that ranked among the top 10 in the majors. That kind of production is exactly what the Yankees need in those tough matchups, and it’s why Goldschmidt remains a valuable piece even as his role shifts.
The rest of his 2025 season was more of a mixed bag. He hit .274 overall with 10 home runs and 45 RBIs across 146 games, but his production dipped in the second half - just .245 with two homers after the break. Against right-handers, he struggled, batting .247 with a .618 OPS, which led to a reduced role down the stretch and into the postseason.
Still, Goldschmidt embraced that change with the professionalism you’d expect from a seven-time All-Star and former MVP. He started just two of the Yankees' seven playoff games, but his impact went beyond the box score. He played a key role in helping Rice, a converted catcher, sharpen his defense at first base - not a small thing for a team that values versatility and fundamentals.
The Yankees now have some flexibility at first base and behind the plate. Rice could continue seeing time at both positions, sharing catching duties with Wells, while Goldschmidt slots in when the matchup demands it. It’s a smart way to keep everyone fresh and effective.
This signing also gives the Yankees some insurance at designated hitter - a position that’s become a revolving door due to Giancarlo Stanton’s ongoing injury issues. Stanton, a five-time All-Star and former MVP himself, has averaged just 101 games over the past four seasons and has missed significant time in six of the last seven years. If he’s sidelined again, Goldschmidt could fill in as needed.
Goldschmidt is the latest piece in what’s been a busy offseason for the Yankees, who’ve made it clear they’re running it back with the core that got them to the playoffs last year. He joins a group of re-signed free agents that includes outfielders Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham, utility man Amed Rosario, and relievers Ryan Yarbrough and Paul Blackburn. The team also picked up a club option on lefty reliever Tim Hill to keep him in the fold.
With the 40-man roster full, the Yankees will need to make a corresponding move to officially add Goldschmidt, but that’s a minor hurdle for a team focused on depth and experience.
Looking ahead to Opening Day, the Yankees’ bench is shaping up to be one of the more versatile in the league. Alongside Goldschmidt, they’re expected to carry outfielder Jasson Dominguez, utility players Rosario and Oswaldo Cabrera, and a middle infielder - possibly newcomer Paul DeJong, who’s in camp on a non-roster deal.
One name that won’t be in the Opening Day lineup is starting shortstop Anthony Volpe. The young infielder is recovering from October labrum surgery on his left shoulder and isn’t expected back until at least May. That opens the door for someone like DeJong to step in early.
All told, the Yankees are threading the needle between youth and experience, upside and reliability. Goldschmidt might not be the centerpiece anymore, but his bat against lefties, his leadership in the clubhouse, and his willingness to embrace a supporting role make him a savvy addition to a team with championship aspirations.