Yankees branded ‘ideal destination’ for $130 million Seven-time All-Star Trade Target

The New York Yankees have risen to first position in the AL East to start the season, tied for the MLB lead with 12 wins.

However, this does not mean that the roster will not alter as the squad looks to return to a deep playoff run following a poor 2023 season. And one position that could benefit from an upgrade is first base, where starter Anthony Rizzo has a.243/.321/.314 slash line in 70 at bats and a.978 fielding %.

Addressing the possibility of a trade upgrade, Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly identified the Yankees as one of the best landing locations for St. Louis Cardinals slugger Paul Goldschmidt, whom he considers one of MLB’s “top nine trade targets.”

“From a legacy perspective, the St. Louis Cardinals might like to retain Paul Goldschmidt,” Kelly said in a statement. “However, from an on-field perspective, the Cardinals are an old squad that most likely missed its opportunity. Goldshmidt, who turns 37 in September, may be interested in joining a World Series contender this summer if the Cardinals’ season does not go as planned.

Paul Goldschmidt Could Be an Upgrade at First Base for the New York Yankees

Goldschmidt is in the final season of a five-year, $130 million contract extension with the Cardinals, lending validity to the notion that his current organization may wish to get some trade value for him before he hits free agency and eventually signs somewhere following the 2024 season.

His on-field career speaks for itself, implying that if he is available at the trade deadline, he will be in high demand. Goldschmidt’s career stats in 14 major league seasons are.292/.387/.517, and he has seven All-Star appearances, five Silver Slugger Awards, four Gold Glove Awards, and the National League MVP award in 2022.

He has started the 2024 season in a greater slump than Rizzo, slashing.190/.292/.238 in 63 at-bats, but his defense is as strong as ever, with a 1.000 fielding percentage. Even at 36, it appears that he will regain his hitting form, since he slashed.268/.363/.447 last season and earned MVP the previous year.

The New York Yankees Would Likely Face Competition in Trade Negotiations for Paul Goldschmidt

If the Yankees believe Goldschmidt’s bat can help their order down the stretch this season, he might be obtained for a low cost as a rental before free agency, and that might be the type of arrangement that entices them. They are one of the few high-caliber offenses in baseball that could regard him as an upgrade at first base.

“It would be interesting to see what his market would be,” he said. “So many contending teams — the Braves, Dodgers and Phillies, for example — have star first basemen already,” he said. “But given that Goldschmidt can become a free agent at the end of the season, some lower-budget contending teams could consider trying to land Goldschmidt as a rental.”

Even said, if Goldschmidt becomes a trade target in midseason, the Yankees will not be the only team vying for him.

“The Yankees (Anthony Rizzo), Rangers (Jared Walsh) and Twins (Carlos Santana) all have veteran first base options that Goldschmidt would represent a clear upgrade over,” he said.