Paul Goldschmidt, Yankees Eye Reunion for a Final Run in 2026
Paul Goldschmidt’s time in St. Louis ended the way many great player-team partnerships do - not with a bang, but with a quiet, necessary goodbye.
After years of anchoring the Cardinals lineup and collecting hardware - MVP votes, Gold Gloves, All-Star nods - Goldy and the Redbirds went their separate ways last offseason. And while the split made sense for both sides, it still marked the end of an era.
Now, a year removed from his departure, the 38-year-old slugger could be headed back to the Bronx for one more ride - and the Yankees are reportedly interested in making that reunion happen.
Goldy’s Role Has Changed, But the Bat Against Lefties Still Plays
Let’s be clear: Paul Goldschmidt isn’t the perennial MVP candidate he once was. His 2025 season - his first in pinstripes - was statistically the worst of his career by fWAR (0.8), outside of his 48-game rookie stint in Arizona. The bat slowed, the glove wasn’t quite what it used to be, and the full-time role he once commanded now looks more like a platoon or bench spot.
But even in a down year, Goldschmidt showed he can still mash left-handed pitching. In 2025, he posted a .336/.411/.570 slash line against southpaws - good for a 169 wRC+. That’s elite production in a specialized role, and for a team like the Yankees, who are trying to squeeze value from every spot on the roster, that kind of situational dominance still matters.
If the Yankees bring him back, it won’t be to carry the lineup - it’ll be as a veteran bat off the bench, a clubhouse leader, and a guy who can step in and do damage against lefties. That’s the role he’s trending toward in 2026, especially with the team giving Ben Rice a serious look as the everyday first baseman.
A Championship Chase That’s Still Missing the Final Piece
Goldschmidt’s move to New York last season was all about chasing the one thing missing from his résumé: a World Series ring. He joined the reigning AL champs in hopes of finally reaching the mountaintop, but the Yankees fell short again. Now, as the 2026 season approaches, the question isn’t just whether Goldy still has something left in the tank - it’s whether New York is still a legitimate contender.
The Yankees have had a quiet offseason, and the roster has more questions than answers. But even if the championship window isn’t wide open, the idea of Goldschmidt returning for a final run - in a defined, lower-leverage role - makes sense. He’s a pro’s pro, someone who knows how to prepare, how to lead, and how to make the most of his opportunities.
Meanwhile, in St. Louis, the Search for a Successor Continues
As for the Cardinals, they’ve moved on - at least on paper. The team has undergone significant changes since Goldschmidt’s departure, including trading away veteran leaders and reshaping the roster. Now, they’re still searching for a long-term answer at first base.
Alec Burleson looks like the early favorite to take over the position, especially with Willson Contreras now in Boston. But Burleson’s best fit might be as a utility player, someone who can move around the diamond rather than lock down a corner infield spot for the next five years.
Whoever ends up with the job, they won’t be expected to replicate Goldschmidt’s production - and frankly, they shouldn’t be. Goldy’s run in St.
Louis was one of the most consistent and productive stretches by any first baseman in the game. Those are big shoes to fill, and the Cardinals know it.
Bottom Line
Paul Goldschmidt may no longer be the centerpiece of a lineup, but he’s not done yet. If the Yankees bring him back, it’ll be for a very specific role - and he’s shown he can still thrive in it.
Whether that’s enough to help New York get over the hump remains to be seen. But for a player who’s done just about everything in the game except win it all, one last shot in the Bronx might be too tempting to pass up.