It's crazy to think where Yankees would be without Paul Goldschmidt in 2026

Paul Goldschmidt just keeps on producing. The ageless wonder has the Midas touch, having done nothing but rake for the Yankees to begin the 2026 season.

In fact, it appears as if the 38-year-old is only getting better as the season goes on. In the month of June, Goldy is carrying a 1.022 OPS and is hitting .357/.379/.643. He’s 10-for-28 with a pair of doubles and homers (the latter of which came Tuesday night vs. Cleveland), and has driven in eight runs.

Eight is the total number of home runs Goldschmidt has mashed this season, which is just two off the number he had last season. Those 10 blasts came in 146 games, while he’s nearly matched that total in 41 thus far in 2026. 

Paul Goldschmidt's 2026 Yankees contributions are worth his contract alone

Goldschmidt has been the most lethal early in games. He’s deployed all throughout the top of the order by manager Aaron Boone, but when he gets in on the action in the first inning, he’s a different hitter. Five of Goldschmidt’s eight homers have come in the first frame.

And while he’s known to destroy left-handed pitching (per MLB, his 1.066 OPS against lefties as of June 9 is the fourth-best mark in the league since 2025), three of his HRs have been against righties. His power production has been a godsend for New York, who is missing the pop provided by Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. 

“He’s been spectacular for us,” Cody Bellinger said via the New York Daily News after the Yankees topped the Guardians 3-2 on Tuesday night. Goldschmidt’s versatility has made him an invaluable fixture in the Yankees’ lineup. And his $4 million salary doesn’t hurt the team’s pockets either. 

But his value goes much deeper than that. As the team’s elder statesman, and one who’s been stellar for nearly 15 seasons, Goldschmidt is universally respected it clubhouse. Still, he maintains the unique ability to teach and lead, while being just one of the guys.

“We all have good banter,” he told the New York Daily News, “so maybe I give them a hard time for being younger, and maybe they give me a hard time for being older, but it’s just such a good group. I do try to learn from them, and I think they try to learn from me, and I think that’s what makes us all better.” So far, so good: Goldy is definitely doing his part to make the Yankees better, and fans can't imagine where this team would be without him.

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