Paul Goldschmidt is back in the Bronx.
The veteran first baseman is finalizing a one-year deal to return to the New York Yankees, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Goldschmidt reportedly received offers for more money from other teams, but decided to return to New York.
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Goldschmidt first joined the Yankees last year on a one-year deal worth $12.5 million after six years with the St. Louis Cardinals. In his age-37 season, his production was below his career standards, with a .274/.328/.403 slash line, 45 RBIs, and 10 home runs in 146 games.
This year, the former MVP should provide the right side of a platoon at first base alongside lefty Ben Rice, the part-time catcher who broke out at the plate last year. Goldschmidt, a four-time Gold Glove winner early on, could also make appearances as a defensive replacement in the later innings.
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This deal checks one of the last boxes on the Yankees’ offseason to-do list. The team’s big offseason moves so far have retained outfielders Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham, the first on a five-year, $162.5 million contract And the latter on the qualifying offer of 22 million dollars. He also gained pitching depth with a trade for Miami Marlins starting pitcher Ryan Weathers.
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However, the Yankees still needed a right-handed bench bat, and Goldschmidt, a likely Hall of Famer, fit the bill nicely. It’s unclear how much longer he’ll play, but he remains an above-average hitter and a solid presence in the clubhouse.
New York currently holds the second-best World Series odds in MLB on BetMGM at +1000, behind the Los Angeles Dodgers (+225).
