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The New York Yankees made a splash last winter when they signed Paul Goldschmidt, hoping the seven-time All-Star could give their lineup a veteran presence. But just months later, insider Jim Bowden of The Athletic says the Yankees plan to let Goldschmidt walk and turn the position over to 26-year-old Ben Rice.
Goldschmidt hasn’t fallen off a cliff, but he hasn’t given New York the type of impact that justifies another year in pinstripes. At 37, he’s not the MVP-caliber force he once was in St. Louis, though his bat still flashes against left-handers. Bowden believes the Yankees already have his replacement in-house—and Rice’s emergence all but seals Goldschmidt’s fate.
Goldschmidt Nears the End of His Yankees Run
Goldschmidt’s one-year stint in New York revived parts of his game but also highlighted where he’s lost ground. His .763 OPS is serviceable, but far from the thunder the Yankees expected. Against southpaws, he remains lethal with a 1.193 OPS, but that narrow role doesn’t fit a team building toward a younger core.
Defensively, Goldschmidt still provides reliability at first base. He’s hitting .280 with 28 doubles and 10 homers this season, while also cutting his strikeout rate by seven points compared to 2024. Those improvements make him a potential fit for a contender desperate for right-handed pop. Still, Bowden doubts the Yankees will prioritize his return.
“Goldschmidt’s bat is less potent, but he still plays plus defense at first base and is a strong clubhouse presence,” Bowden wrote. “He’ll likely be leaving the Yankees after one year because Ben Rice appears ready to take over first base full-time in 2026.”
That assessment aligns with the Yankees’ long-term roster plans. They’ve often resisted multi-year commitments to aging sluggers in recent years, and with Rice’s performance, the front office doesn’t need to gamble again on Goldschmidt.
Rice has quietly become one of the Yankees’ most important players. Splitting time between catcher and first base, he’s logged a .804 OPS, 18 home runs, and a staggering 54.8% hard-hit rate. More importantly, he offers versatility and cost control that Goldschmidt cannot. With five more years of team control, Rice gives the Yankees both stability and upside.
Rice Emerges as the Answer
His rise also speaks to the organization’s ability to develop talent internally, something critics have often questioned. Austin Wells was supposed to grab hold of the catcher position, but Rice’s bat forced Aaron Boone to find him consistent at-bats. That flexibility has turned Rice into a lineup fixture, and now, the frontrunner for Goldschmidt’s job.
For Goldschmidt, this situation isn’t all negative. He can thank the Yankees for giving him a platform to prove he still belongs. Another club will view his veteran leadership and lefty-mashing ability as a key upgrade. He may not get a long-term deal, but on a contender in need of stability, he could thrive in a limited role.
The Yankees, meanwhile, appear ready to transition. Rice represents youth, power, and growth potential, all traits that fit the next phase of their roster construction. Goldschmidt, as Bowden notes, may exit as a respected veteran, but his time in pinstripes looks destined to last just one season.
For New York, the decision makes sense. For Goldschmidt, it’s another reminder of how quickly the game moves on.
Alvin Garcia Born in Puerto Rico, Alvin Garcia is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on MLB. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, covering mostly MLB. More about Alvin Garcia
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