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