First baseman Paul Goldschmidt has officially signed a one-year contract worth $12.5 million with the New York Yankees, pending a successful physical examination, as reported by a source close to the negotiations.
This move marks Goldschmidt as the Yankees’ fourth notable acquisition this season after the departure of Juan Soto to the New York Mets. He joins left-handed pitcher Max Fried, closer Devin Williams, and outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger. With Goldschmidt in the lineup, it is anticipated that Bellinger will primarily take on an outfield role.
In addition to their recent signings, the Yankees are still in pursuit of a third baseman and are also looking to add left-handed relief pitchers, with their current 40-man roster lacking any lefty options.
A seasoned player, Goldschmidt has earned seven All-Star selections, four Gold Glove awards, and was named the National League MVP in 2022. He joins fellow MVP talents such as Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Bellinger on the Yankees roster. Previously, Goldschmidt became a free agent after finishing a lucrative $130 million, five-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.
His professional journey began with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he played for eight seasons before transferring to the Cardinals, where he spent six years. Last season, he struggled with a career-low .245 batting average, hitting 22 home runs and driving in 65 runs. However, he saw a resurgence towards the end of the season, achieving a .283 average with seven home runs and 25 RBIs starting from July 28.
Against left-handed pitchers this past season, Goldschmidt maintained a .295 batting average with five home runs and 16 RBIs across 167 plate appearances. Conversely, he faced challenges against right-handers, posting a .230 average with 17 home runs and 49 RBIs in 487 plate appearances.
For his career, Goldschmidt sports an impressive .289 batting average with 362 home runs and 1,187 RBIs from his time with the Diamondbacks (2011-2018) and the Cardinals (2019-2024). Notably, in 2022, he recorded a .317 average, 35 home runs, 115 RBIs, and an OPS of .981.
In other news, the Yankees have also completed a one-year contract with right-handed pitcher Jonathan Loáisiga, which includes a club option extending through 2026. According to pitching coach Matt Blake, Loáisiga, recovering from Tommy John surgery performed on May 1, is expected to return to the mound by late April or May.
“We envision him being one of our high-leverage pitchers,” Blake noted. “However, we need to ensure that we give him ample time to recover and do not rush him back into competitive play.”
