The Yankees’ oldest player hasn’t given much thought to his future yet.
That would be Paul Goldschmidt, who turned 38 earlier this month. A 15-year veteran, the first baseman will be a free agent following his first season in pinstripes.
Does he want to keep playing? Or could he retire?
“I’ll just worry about it then,” Goldschmidt said, referring to the offseason. “I’m just focusing on this year, trying to help us win. I’m always someone who stays in the moment. Whatever the future holds, there’ll be a time to think about that and deal with that then.”
It’s been an interesting season for Goldschmidt, who signed a one-year, $12.5 million deal with the Yankees after enduring the worst year of his career in St. Louis.
Aided by some luck on balls in plays, he was a base-hit machine earlier this season, hitting .338 with an .889 OPS through his first 57 games. Since then, however, Goldschmidt has hit .230 with a .626 OPS over 83 games.
It’s become clear that the veteran is only a serious threat against lefties at this stage of his career — the right-handed swinger has a 1.020 OPS against southpaws but a .621 OPS against righties — and the power he once displayed in St. Louis and Arizona has faded.
Goldschmidt is hitting .278 with a .743 OPS and a 107 wRC+ overall, but his 10 home runs and 44 RBI are career-lows over full seasons. His quality of contact metrics have also suffered since he won the National League’s MVP Award in 2022.
Goldschmidt, who started three of the Yankees’ four games in Baltimore last week, has been better in September, hitting .282. However, the seven-time All-Star, who dealt with a nagging knee contusion in recent weeks, has just one extra-base hit over that 15-game span.
A four-time Gold Glover, Goldschmidt’s defense isn’t as sharp as it used to be, either, though he can still pick it with the best of them. His -3 Outs Above Average ranks 13th among 18 qualified first basemen.
While Goldschmidt has had an up and down season in the field, his presence has made a difference in the Yankees’ clubhouse. Teammates have raved about his leadership, as has Aaron Boone.
“He’s as good a person and teammate as I’ve ever been around. I could say that about a few guys in that room right now, but Goldie’s the gold standard,” the manager said. “He’s a special person.”
Goldschmidt has especially had an impact on Ben Rice, tutoring the natural catcher at first base while helping the 26-year-old navigate his first full big league season.
“You can really pick his brain about anything,” Rice said. “He’s so approachable, and it’s just been such a pleasure to play with him this year.”
The question now is whether Goldschmidt will play with anyone in 2026.
The Yankees can go in a different direction, as the lefty-swinging Rice has held his own against left-handed pitchers this season. Re-signing Cody Bellinger, meanwhile, would give the Yankees an alternative at first when Rice catches next year.
Goldschmidt, meanwhile, should be able to find suitors if he’s willing to take a pay cut and a platoon role, as he’s been productive enough and has a glowing reputation within the game.
Whether he continues his career, however, is not something he’s ready to think about as he eyes a shot at his first World Series appearance.
“I’m enjoying playing,” Goldschmidt said, “and I don’t want to let my focus shift from today’s game or this year.”
