NEW YORK — First baseman Paul Goldschmidt and the New York Yankees agreed to a $12.5 million, one-year contract on Saturday, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was contingent on a successful physical.
Goldschmidt would become the Yankees’ fourth major addition since Juan Soto left for the New York Mets after left-hander Max Friedcloser Devin Williams and outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger. The addition of Goldschmidt likely means Bellinger will primarily be an outfielder.
The Yankees may still be looking for a third baseman, along with left-handed relievers: there are no left-handed relievers on their 40-man roster.
The right-handed Goldschmidt is a seven-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner and 2022 NL MVP and joins fellow MVPs Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Bellinger on the Yankees. Goldschmidt became a free agent after completing a five-year, $130 million contract with St. Louis.
He spent his first eight seasons with Arizona and his last six with the Cardinals, slumping to a career-low .245 average with 22 home runs and 65 RBIs last season. He revived his numbers late in the season, hitting .283 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs as of July 28.
Goldschmidt hit .295 with five home runs, 16 RBIs and an .839 OPS in 167 at-bats against lefties this year and .230 with 17 homers, 49 RBIs and a .675 OPS in 487 at-bats against right-handers.
He is a .289 career hitter with 362 home runs and 1,187 RBIs for the Diamondbacks (2011-18) and Cardinals (2019-24). Goldschmidt hit .317 with 35 home runs, 115 RBIs and a .981 OPS in 2022.
New York also finalized a one-year contract with right-hander Jonathan Loáisiga, a deal that includes a club option through 2026. Pitching coach Matt Blake said this week that the 30-year-old right-hander could return in late April or May from Tommy John surgery last May 1.
“I imagine he’s one of the heavily indebted guys,” Blake said. “Obviously we need to take some time to get him right, to make sure we don’t rush him into the competition.”
