The New York Yankees made another big move to fill their hole at first base, agreeing to one-year, $12.5 million deal with former MVP Paul Goldschmidt, according to a person with knowledge of the contract.
The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because he is yet to take his physical.
Goldschmidt, 37, won the 2022 National League MVP award with the St. Louis Cardinals and has been one of the best players in baseball since making his debut in 2011 – but is coming off the worst year of his career, batting .245 with a .716 OPS and 65 RBI in 154 games.
The Yankees have been incredibly aggressive in the weeks since losing the bidding war for Juan Soto, signing Max Fried to a $218 contract before pulling off trades for All-Star closer Devin Williams and former MVP Cody Bellinger.
New York had also talked with free agents Christian Walker (who signed with the Astros) and Carlos Santana before focusing on Goldschmidt.
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Yankees first basemen combined for the worst OPS (.619) in 2024, with Anthony Rizzo seeing the most time.
Goldschmidt spent the past six seasons with the Cardinals after eight years with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who drafted him in 2009. A seven-time All-Star, Goldschmidt has four Gold Gloves and five Silver Slugger awards.
With Goldschmidt and Bellinger on board, the Yankees have four MVP winners on the roster, joining Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
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