TAMPA — From the moment the Yankees’ 2025 season came to an end in the ALDS, Paul Goldschmidt knew he wanted to keep playing. Furthermore, he knew he wanted to do so in pinstripes.
“I had such a good time here,” the first baseman said Wednesday as a few position players arrived at George M. Steinbrenner Field ahead of schedule. “I was hoping my time wasn’t done.”
Goldschmidt, 38 and still looking for a World Series ring, agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract with the Yankees last Friday, just days before pitchers and catchers officially reported to Tampa. Incentives could net Goldschmidt as much as $6 million after he made $12.5 million last year, his first with the Yankees.
Goldschmidt declined to say if he had opportunities to make more money or get more playing time elsewhere. The veteran also said he hasn’t thought about playing beyond 2026, which will be his 16th big league season.
The questions came up because Goldschmidt’s pact also comes with a new job description, as the former MVP is expected to be a role player. That’s because Ben Rice is positioned as the Yankees’ primary first baseman, and the club plans on letting the hard-hitting lefty swinger face more southpaws in 2026.
Goldschmidt, who mentored Rice last season, understands the shift in dynamic, as he said his pupil has the potential to be an All-Star.
“I think Benny’s going to definitely be planning to get the bulk of the playing time over there,” Goldschmidt said. “And I’m definitely fine with whatever role they need me to [do].”
A right-handed hitter, Goldschmidt could get some starts at first against tougher lefties. He can also be used against them as a pinch-hitter with portside swingers like Rice, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Austin Wells, Trent Grisham and Ryan McMahon set to be regulars in the Yankees’ lineup.
Goldschmidt posted a .981 OPS against left-handers last season, though his effectiveness against them declined drastically in the second half. He finished the season with a .274 average, .731 OPS, 10 home runs, 45 RBI and 145 games overall.
The Yankees can use Goldschmidt as a late-inning defensive substitute, too, as Rice is still a work in progress at first. Goldschmidt plans on continuing to assist that progress, though.
“The more experience you get over there, the better you get,” Goldschmidt said. “We were working last year a lot over there, taking grounders around the bag, and I just saw him improve. I kind of had a similar trajectory when I think about what it was like when I first got to the big leagues, so hopefully he’ll continue to improve and get better at all facets of the game.”
Aaron Boone also said that it’s “possible” Rice will catch more with Goldschmidt back. How much “remains to be seen” and will depend on health and other roster decisions, but Rice is preparing for such a scenario after tallying just 229.2 innings as a receiver last season.
Regardless, Rice is expected to be a regular presence in the Yankees’ lineup after Boone said he has “earned” the right to eclipse the 530 plate appearances he had over 138 games last year. Those trips to the plate yielded a .255 average, .836 OPS, 26 homers and 65 RBI.
“He’s a very smart player, very hungry, hard worker, and wants to be the best he can be,” Goldschmidt said. “He definitely has the potential to do great things.”
COLE’S NEXT BIG STEP
Some pitchers and catchers were still awaiting physicals when Boone spoke to reporters late Wednesday morning, but the manager wasn’t aware of any new injuries as camp began.
As for pre-existing ones, Boone said that Carlos Rodón, recovering from elbow surgery to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur, and Gerrit Cole, who underwent Tommy John surgery last spring, are doing well with their throwing programs.
Boone added that Cole is scheduled to start facing live hitters in “a couple weeks” and could “potentially” get in games before spring training ends. The Yankees’ hope is that he’ll make his season debut in late May or early June.
Rodón, looking at a late-April or early-May return, previously said that he thinks he’ll make some spring training starts. That would put him on track for a minor league rehab assignment at the start of the regular season.
With Rodón, Cole and Clarke Schmidt (Tommy John surgery) all starting the year on the injured list, the Yankees’ projected season-opening rotation includes Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, Ryan Weathers and Luis Gil.
THE LATEST ON VOLPE
Boone also said that Anthony Volpe’s recovery from offseason shoulder surgery has gone well thus far. The shortstop’s strength and range of motion have returned, and he’s been taking groundballs and working in the weight room.
Volpe is expected to start his hitting progression in a week or two.
With Volpe also set to start the season on the IL, José Caballero is penciled in as the Yankees’ starting shortstop. A strong opening month from the utilityman could present the team with a difficult decision once Volpe, disappointing in his first three seasons, comes off the shelf.
STANTON ‘READY TO ROLL’
After missing all of spring training and the first few months of the season with lingering tennis elbows last year, Giancarlo Stanton will be “ready to roll” when position players report to camp on Feb. 15, according to Boone. The skipper noted some caveats — he hasn’t seen Stanton in Tampa yet, and he usually slow-plays getting him into spring games — but he doesn’t believe the designated hitter will be delayed by his elbows again.
Boone also hopes that playing the outfield will remain an option for Stanton, though using him out there would likely come out of necessity, not preference. Such was the case last season when Stanton briefly returned to defending while Aaron Judge recovered from a flexor strain.
