Only one day removed from Christian Walker leaving Arizona for Houston, fellow former Diamondbacks’ first baseman Paul Goldschmidt has signed a 1-year deal with the reigning AL Champion New York Yankees, as reported Saturday by YES Network’s Jack Curry.
MLB insider Jeff Passan detailed the short-term contract will be worth $12.5 million.
Goldschmidt will replace Anthony Rizzo, who was a Yankees acquisition during the 2021 season, after his club option was declined.
The 6-foot-3 power hitter and four-time Gold Glover finished last season on a high note with the St. Louis Cardinals, notching a .908 OPS in his final 32 games. It was all-in-all a sour year for Goldschmidt, whose .716 OPS was a career-low since making his MLB debut in 2011.
Despite low at-bat efficiency, Goldschmidt still managed to clobber 22 home runs for his 12th season with 20-plus. And at 37 years old, Goldschmidt has stayed healthy with more than 150 game appearances in each of the past four seasons.
New York lost thump in their lineup after its in-state rival Mets completed a blockbuster 15-year deal with Juan Soto. The additions of Arizona native and outfielder Cody Bellinger and now Goldschmidt have begun to remedy this major loss.
What does the Paul Goldschmidt signing means for the Diamondbacks?
With Goldschmidt off the shelf, the Diamondbacks simply have one fewer veteran option available.
His familiarity with the ballclub (eight seasons) and irrefutable offensive impact were just two of many alluring traits for Arizona. But now Mike Hazen and Co. will look to tap into another part of the first base gold mine.
Pavin Smith is the only active player on the roster that has seen reps at first base. The No. 7 pick in 2017 will get his fair share of starts next season but the question still remains who he will trade off with.
Smith’s hitting prowess has been unquestionable, establishing a career-high .896 OPS in limited plate appearances (158) in 2024. The more difficult part to address for the D-backs, however, is defense at the first base position. Walker won his three consecutive Gold Glove awards and had played to 58 outs above average from 2019-2024.
Josh Bell, a late 2024 Arizona acquisition, is the most connected free agent after spending all of August and September with the club. He posted a .779 OPS and 22 RBIs with the D-backs. As a switch-hitter, Bell is able to do some damage versus both righties and lefties. The veteran, who has been deployed by six teams, notably hammered home runs from both sides of the plate in his first game with Arizona against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Other remaining possibilities at first base include another switch-hitter in Carlos Santana and right-hander Justin Turner.
The 39 and 40-year-olds, who have a combined 31 years of experience in the majors, would bring veteran hitting presence to an already potent lineup with the likes of Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte.
Santana won a Gold Glove with the Minnesota Twins last season, certainly proving his defensive value, but also hit 23 home runs and drove in 71 runs. Turner had an off year with 11 home runs yet still contributed 55 RBIs with the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, both players have been offseason targets of the Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Mariners (where Turner last saw action), Washington Nationals and New York Mets.
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