After missing out on Juan Soto, the Bronx Bombers are making moves to keep their MLB lineup dangerous. Enter Paul Goldschmidt.
The former MVP may not be the same guy who used to terrorize pitchers with a league-leading OPS, but the Yankees are betting he’s got enough left in the tank to provide some much-needed protection for Aaron Judge.
A Tale of Two Halves in 2024
Now, let’s be real—Goldschmidt’s best days are probably behind him. The guy has been one of the most feared hitters in baseball for a decade, carrying a career .907 OPS into 2024, but Father Time is undefeated.
That said, there’s reason to believe he still has some juice left, and Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer sees a path for a resurgence in pinstripes.
If you look at his 2023 season, it was a rollercoaster. The first half? Brutal. Over his first 92 games with the Cardinals, Goldschmidt slashed just .237 with 13 home runs and a .664 OPS while striking out 28.2% of the time according to Fangraphs.
Those numbers? Not great. But then, something clicked. Over his final 62 games, he turned things around in a big way—hitting for a .799 OPS, launching nine homers, and cutting his strikeout rate down to 23.6%.
It wasn’t MVP-level production but a glimpse of the Goldschmidt we’ve seen in years past.
What the Yankees Need from Goldschmidt
What does this mean for the Yankees? If they can get Goldschmidt’s second-half version, this signing could be a game-changer.
The Yankees don’t need him to carry the team—they’ve got Judge for that—but they do need him to be a legitimate threat in the middle of the order.
New York has been searching for a consistent right-handed bat to support Judge, and Goldschmidt, even at 37, could fit the bill if he maintains his late-season form from last year.
If he can give them 20-25 homers, solid on-base numbers, and decent protection for Judge, this move could look much better than people expect.
His MLB experience and veteran presence could help balance out a Yankees roster that’s been struggling with offensive consistency.
Can Goldschmidt Thrive in the Bronx?
At 37 years old, will Goldschmidt suddenly return to MVP form? Probably not. But can he still be a productive bat in a Yankees lineup that needs more depth? Absolutely.
The short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium could be an asset for him, even if his power numbers have declined in recent years.
Plus, playing in a lineup where opposing pitchers have to focus on Judge and Giancarlo Stanton could give him more opportunities to do damage.
If Goldschmidt thrives under the bright lights of New York, this could end up being one of the more underrated moves of the offseason.
The Yankees missed out on Soto, but if Goldschmidt can recapture even a fraction of his MLB All-Star form, this lineup just got a whole lot scarier.
