Tag: Paul Goldschmidt

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MLB (Baseball)

Paul Goldschmidt’s Move to the Yankees Sparks Optimism Amid Late-Season Resurgence and Leadership Influence

Paul Goldschmidt
Paul Goldschmidt (MLB)

Paul Goldschmidt’s transition to the New York Yankees has been met with optimism from both his former and current teammates. After six strong seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, he found himself a free agent due to the team’s rebuilding phase and his declining performance in the 2024 season at age 36.

The Yankees, in search of experienced talent, signed him to a one-year, $12.5 million deal, hoping he could still contribute at a high level. Despite concerns about his age and production, Goldschmidt’s past success and professionalism have many believing he will be a valuable addition to the team.

Goldschmidt’s Late-Season Resurgence and Yankee Stadium’s Favorable Dimensions Boost Expectations

Goldschmidt’s 2024 season raised questions about his ability to perform, particularly after a poor first half where he posted a .664 OPS. However, he made adjustments and significantly improved in the latter half of the season with a .799 OPS.

This resurgence encouraged the Yankees to invest in him, especially given his reliable defense at first base. Former Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol dismissed concerns about Goldschmidt’s age, emphasizing that his struggles were more about mechanical issues in his swing rather than a physical decline.

Paul Goldschmidt
Paul Goldschmidt (MLB)

One factor that could work in Goldschmidt’s favor is Yankee Stadium itself. Former teammate Nolan Arenado noted that Busch Stadium often robbed Goldschmidt of potential home runs due to its deep right-center field. In contrast, Yankee Stadium’s dimensions are expected to benefit his power-hitting style. With the potential for an offensive boost, the Yankees are hopeful that he can regain some of the form that made him the NL MVP in 2022.

Goldschmidt’s Leadership and Experience Strengthen Yankees’ Clubhouse Culture and Team Chemistry

Beyond his performance on the field, Goldschmidt’s leadership qualities make him an invaluable presence in the Yankees’ clubhouse. Arenado believes he is a perfect fit for the team’s culture, while Marmol recalled an instance from 2019 when Goldschmidt paid for a night nurse to support Marmol’s wife while he was on the road for spring training. Such gestures highlight his selflessness and ability to positively impact those around him, reinforcing his reputation as a respected leader.

Goldschmidt’s recent RBI single in a spring training game was an encouraging sign of what he can bring to the Yankees. Manager Aaron Boone has already noted his positive influence, describing him as a player with a strong work ethic and deep knowledge of the game. Boone believes Goldschmidt elevates the team’s overall professionalism, making him a key addition both on and off the field. As the season unfolds, the Yankees will look to him not only for production but also for the leadership qualities that have defined his career.

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MLB (Baseball)

In New York, Paul Goldschmidt is poised for a bounce-back season with the Yankees after a tough 2024

Paul Goldschmidt hits a single in the 2nd inninig

Few people have been around Paul Goldschmidt longer than Turner Ward, who managed him in the minors and served as his hitting coach at two different major league teams. Ward worked with Goldschmidt during the past three seasons in St. Louis, including Goldschmidt’s MVP 2022 season and his disappointing 2024 campaign.

Goldschmidt is now with the Yankees, hoping to help replace Juan Soto after his departure. Ward believes that, despite being 37, Goldschmidt will return to form as the dominant hitter he has been throughout most of his career.

Ward explained that toward the end of last season, Goldschmidt started simplifying his approach again, which helped improve his performance. “Over the last six weeks of the season, he got back to simplifying things,” Ward said.

“Hitting off a tee and things like that. Over the course of last season, his swing got out of sequence and he tried to do too much. Personally, I have no doubt he can get back to being the hitter he’s been.”

Goldschmidt had one of his worst seasons last year, with a rise in strikeouts, a drop in walks, and a general decline in his typical production. Ward pointed out that Goldschmidt’s constant desire to improve his swing and technique may have played a role in the struggles.

He even consulted his bat company and visited Driveline to work on increasing his bat speed. “That’s not for everybody,” Ward said. “We talked about it last year, he did some things I know had a negative effect on him. He sped up his upper half and that’s where the disconnect happened.”

Despite the struggles, Goldschmidt had a strong finish to the season. He posted a .658 OPS over his first 98 games, but finished the last 56 games with an OPS of .826, and a .920 OPS over the final month. “I witnessed it and watched him,” Ward said. “I saw the frustration he felt and then he got back to being as simple as he possibly could and got results.”

Brendan Donovan is congratulated by Paul Goldschmidt ater hitting a home run in the 3rd inning

The Yankees don’t necessarily need Goldschmidt to return to his MVP form, but replacing Anthony Rizzo with a right-handed first baseman who is getting older carries some risk. However, Ward is confident that the move to New York will work out for both sides.

“What’s really gonna help is he’s a guy that makes everyone around him better and they’ll make him better,” Ward said. “He encourages everyone and he’ll be the one when guys are struggling that will be the voice of reason. What he went through this past year probably magnified that.”

Ward also believes that Yankee Stadium could be a great fit for Goldschmidt, noting that it is a perfect place for a hitter like him who pulls the ball or drives it the other way. “That place is made for a left-handed pull hitter or a right-handed hitter that drives the ball the other way,” Ward said. “He hits the ball to all fields.

St. Louis was not a great place for a guy who drives the ball the other way.” Goldschmidt’s OPS at home last season was .654, compared to .774 on the road.

Goldschmidt now faces the challenge of proving that his struggles last season were not the start of a permanent decline. For much of his career, he has rarely slumped. Ward’s relationship with Goldschmidt began in 2011 when Goldschmidt was in Double-A with Arizona’s Mobile team, and Ward was his manager. “I was very hard on players,” Ward said. “He’s always been a guy that wants to learn and grow. He probably asked more questions than any player I’ve ever been around.”

Goldschmidt’s willingness to learn paid off, as he was called up to the majors straight from Double-A on August 1, and quickly succeeded. “There were questions about whether he’d be able to make the adjustments after a jump like that and I told [then Arizona GM] Kevin Towers, ‘This guy is going to do everything he needs to do to succeed there.’ And he did,” Ward said.

Ward eventually became Goldschmidt’s hitting coach with the Diamondbacks from 2013 to 2015, and again for the past three seasons in St. Louis.

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MLB (Baseball)

Paul Goldschmidt Signs One-Year Contract with Yankees

Paul Goldschmidt signs a one-year deal with the Yankees to boost their lineup (New York Yankees)

Paul Goldschmidt finalized a $12.5 million, one-year contract with the New York Yankees on Monday.

The agreement, initially reached on December 21, was pending a successful physical, which has now been completed.

Goldschmidt joins Judge, Stanton, and Bellinger in a star-studded Yankees team (New York Yankees)

Roster Moves and Goldschmidt’s Arrival

The addition of Goldschmidt marks the Yankees’ fourth major move since Juan Soto’s transfer to the Mets.

This follows the acquisitions of Max Fried, Devin Williams, and Cody Bellinger. With Goldschmidt joining the team, it is likely that Bellinger will spend most of his time in the outfield.

Goldschmidt’s Career Achievements

Goldschmidt’s accolades include seven All-Star appearances, four Gold Glove awards, and the 2022 National League MVP title.

His presence adds another MVP winner to the Yankees, alongside Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Cody Bellinger.

Previously with St. Louis, Goldschmidt became a free agent after concluding a $130 million, five-year deal with the Cardinals.

Career and Recent Performance

Over his career, Goldschmidt played eight seasons with Arizona before spending six years with St. Louis.

Despite a challenging 2023 season where he posted a career-low .245 batting average with 22 home runs and 65 RBIs, he rebounded late in the year. From July 28 onward, he improved to a .283 average with seven home runs and 25 RBIs.

Performance Against Lefties and Righties

This past season, Goldschmidt excelled against left-handed pitchers, hitting .295 with five home runs, 16 RBIs, and an .839 OPS in 167 plate appearances.

Against right-handers, his performance was more subdued, with a .230 average, 17 home runs, 49 RBIs, and a .675 OPS over 487 plate appearances.

Career Statistics

A consistent performer, Goldschmidt boasts a career batting average of .289, with 362 home runs and 1,187 RBIs. His standout 2022 season included a .317 average, 35 home runs, 115 RBIs, and a .981 OPS.

Future Additions to the Yankees Roster

The Yankees may still seek to bolster their roster, particularly at third base and within their bullpen. Notably, the team currently lacks left-handed relievers on its 40-man roster.