The New York Yankees have been aggressive this offseason and have just filled one of their biggest needs by signing Paul Goldschmidt. The Yankees had missed on Christian Walker and had been pursuing Goldschmidt.
The Yankees and Goldschmidt agreed to a one-year, $12.5 million deal according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. Goldschmidt comes at a significantly cheaper price point than Walker who signed a three-year, $60 million deal with the Houston Astros.
Goldschmidt is a seven-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger, four-time Gold Glover and a National League Most Valuable Player Award winner. He is coming off of a down season and will be 38 by the end of next season. He had a .716 OPS on the season but ended the year on a high note. He had an OPS over .900 in the last 30 games.
Goldschmidt comes as an upgrade to Antony Rizzo who struggled greatly last season. The Yankees have already added Cody Bellinger, Devin Williams and Max Fried this offseason. Goldschmidt likely will not be the final addition. They still have a need at third base, and adding Goldschmidt could entice Nolan Arenado to waive his no-trade clause for the Yankees if the team is interested, according to MLB.com’s John Denton, Mark Feinsand and Bryan Hoch.
“Arenado would have to approve any trade between St. Louis and New York, and he would be far more likely to do so with Goldschmidt signed to play for the Yankees, a source said,” wrote the MLB.com staff. “Whether the Yankees view Goldschmidt as more than an answer at first base — namely, an additional piece to help acquire Arenado — is unclear.”
More MLB: Yankees setting the table to sign $420 million superstar with offseason approach
