First baseman Paul Goldschmidt and the New York Yankees finalized their one-year, $12.5 million contract on Monday.
Goldschmidt had agreed to the deal on December 21, pending a successful physical.
He became the Yankees’ fourth major addition since Juan Soto was traded to the New York Mets. Other new players include left-hander Max Fried, closer Devin Williams, and outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger. Goldschmidt’s arrival likely means that Bellinger will play mostly in the outfield.
A seven-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner, and the 2022 NL MVP, Goldschmidt joins fellow MVPs Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Bellinger on the Yankees. Goldschmidt became a free agent after completing a $130 million, five-year contract with St. Louis.
He spent his first eight seasons with Arizona and his last six with the Cardinals, where he had a career-low .245 batting average last season, hitting 22 homers and 65 RBIs. However, he improved his numbers later in the season, batting .283 with seven homers and 25 RBIs from July 28 onward.
Goldschmidt hit .295 with five homers, 16 RBIs, and an .839 OPS in 167 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers. Against right-handers, he batted .230 with 17 homers, 49 RBIs, and a .675 OPS in 487 plate appearances.
He is a career .289 hitter with 362 homers and 1,187 RBIs from his time with the Diamondbacks (2011-18) and Cardinals (2019-24). In 2022, he batted .317 with 35 homers, 115 RBIs, and a .981 OPS.
The Yankees may still be looking for a third baseman and left-handed relievers, as there are no lefty relievers currently on their 40-man roster.
