The Yankees found their first base solution for 2025 when they reached a one-year deal with free agent Paul Goldschmidt on Saturday.
The deal is worth $12.5 million and comes after several weeks of the Yankees being linked to various free agent first basemen, including Christian Walker (who signed a three-year deal with the Astros) and Pete Alonso, the New York Mets’ free agent who remains unsigned.
Former Yankees outfielder Rubén Sierra believes he knows why the team went for a short-term solution, writing on X:
“I understand most Yankee fans were hoping for Walker, but I like one year of Paul Goldschmidt at 1B. Yankees can’t block the 1B position if they want to go after Vladdy next offseason!”
Blue Jays superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be a free agent after the 2025 season. Last season, the 25-year-old recorded 30 home runs and 103 RBIs, with a .323 average and 166 OPS+
The Yankees signed Goldschmidt one day after losing out on Walker, who signed with Houston for $60 million over three years.
Goldschmidt won the NL MVP in 2022 while with the St. Louis Cardinals, but the 37-year-old is coming off of a career-worst season. Over 154 games in 2024 he hit 22 homers with 65 RBI and a .716 OPS. It’s the first time in his 14-year career that he’s had an OPS under .800.
