TAMPA, Fla. – Paul Goldschmidt loved everything about his first season with the Yankees -- except for the ending. Back for another run at a title, the veteran first baseman believes this group can finish the job.
“There are a lot of the same guys,” Goldschmidt said on Wednesday. “So if we play well, it’ll be a good thing. If we don’t, then it’ll probably be the reason that it’s said we didn’t play well. The expectations of this organization, whatever players are here, it’s to win a championship. That just needs to be the mindset.”
Goldschmidt, 38, agreed last week to a one-year, $4 million contract that includes up to $2 million in performance-based incentives. The deal has not been officially announced, as the Yankees must clear room on the 40-man roster.
Still, Goldschmidt was back in familiar surroundings Wednesday as pitchers and catchers reported to George M. Steinbrenner Field, chatting with captain Aaron Judge and settling into the same locker he used last spring.
“I had such a good time here. I felt like I was hoping my time wasn’t done, and I’m glad it worked out that way,” Goldschmidt said. “I know this whole team has a goal of improving upon last year and bringing a championship back here to New York.”
Last year, Goldschmidt hit .274/.328/.403 with 31 doubles, 10 homers and 45 RBIs in 146 games for the Yanks.
Much of the 2025 roster remains intact; the team’s biggest move of the offseason was to re-sign outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger to a five-year, $162.5 million contract.
Goldschmidt sees one key difference, though. After beginning last season as the starting first baseman, he expects Ben Rice to handle most of the at-bats at the position this year.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone has said he envisions Goldschmidt playing mostly against left-handed pitching and serving as a late-inning defensive replacement.
“I think he’s prepared for everything,” Boone said. “Obviously, Ben Rice has earned that next step, even after having [530] plate appearances last year. I’m hoping that goes up this year. But I see Goldy playing a big role, even if we are all healthy.”
Goldschmidt, whose .981 OPS against left-handed pitchers ranked fourth in the Majors last year (min. 150 plate appearances vs. lefties), understands the landscape.
“I’m definitely fine with whatever role they need me, whenever I get an opportunity,” he said. “I’ll be ready to go.”
Set to become the first player to represent Team USA in the World Baseball Classic three times, Goldschmidt said he sees big things ahead for Rice, who turns 27 this month and posted eye-popping metrics at the plate.
Rice batted .255/.337/.499 with 26 homers and 65 RBIs in 138 games, tying for seventh in the Majors in hard-hit percentage (56.1) and tying for ninth in average exit velocity (93.3).
“He can be an All-Star and a great player,” Goldschmidt said. “I really didn’t know much about him coming in, but seeing him hit early on, I just realized he was a really smart hitter and a great hitter. As he got more of an opportunity to play defense, I think he did a good job over there and will even keep improving.
“I had a similar trajectory when I first got to the big leagues. Hopefully he’ll continue to improve and get better at all facets of the game. He’s a very smart player, very hungry and a hard worker. He definitely has the potential to do great things.”