Why Paul Goldschmidt will surprise Yankees fans (and haters) in 2025

The new year has arrived, and preoccupied New York Yankees fans have already started to wonder what their Opening Day lineup will look like. They received a clearer and somewhat controversial picture of what could be on the horizon when the club signed first baseman Paul Goldschmidt late last month.

Despite the veteran's age, there are reasons to believe that Goldschmidt could surprise fans and detractors. His glove and ability to slug may have been better when he was a younger player, but his latest marks and metrics show that he has something left in the tank.

New York's first base situation was a bit of a mixed bag last season. Anthony Rizzo was injured for a large chunk of the season. Ben Rice (intriguing rookie) and J.D. Davis (what on earth) offered some spot starts, but there was a general lack of stability at the position.

Defensively, Goldy is a four-time Gold Glove Award winner. While he only ranked in the 48th percentile in Range/OAA according to Baseball Savant last season, this mark has fluctuated throughout his career. By contrast, he ranked in the 81st percentile in this same category in 2023.

Age may limit what Goldschmidt can offer defensively, but the 37-year-old has undoubtedly attained a level of maturity that will help him be a serviceable defender in 2025. Additionally, he has been consistent in terms of availability. He's played at least 150 games each year since 2021.

Why Paul Goldschmidt will surprise Yankees fans (and haters) in 2025

While the Wilmington native's glove is nothing to sneer at, it is more likely that general manager Brian Cashman and the Yankees' front office decided to sign Goldschmidt due to his past offensive prowess.

Across 154 games in 2024, Goldschmidt bashed 22 home runs, collected 65 RBI, and earned a .245 batting average. He ranked in the 92nd percentile in Hard Hit% and the 73rd percentile in Barrel%. It was not his best campaign, but even these kinds of outcomes would help a lineup that already boasts a number of solid bats. His metrics below the hood seemed to indicate that more was possible.

Further, Goldschmidt is not far removed from his 2022 MVP season. While it is unlikely that he plays at that level again, it is possible that he goes through solid stretches and provides a source of power. In any event, Goldschmidt's bat will be more intimidating than Rizzo's, Davis', and Rice's were at times last season.

Most fans may have preferred to find a younger first baseman this offseason, but it would be foolish to deny that if Goldschmidt could bring stability in the field and occasional pop at the plate.