Before the July 30 trade deadline, the New York Yankees may think about acquiring a one-time MVP to platoon with first baseman Anthony Rizzo, according to an MLB insider and former general manager.
The Yankees have been on fire and have the second-best record in baseball going into today’s MLB games. The team has been without starting pitcher Gerrit Cole for the entire season, while Aaron Judge, the 2022 American League MVP, struggled mightily during the first month of play. It hasn’t mattered, though.
The Baltimore Orioles, another AL powerhouse in their division, aside, the Pinstripes are legitimate title candidates in 2024, and general manager Brian Cashman will undoubtedly consider bolstering the club in preparation for the postseason and stretch run before the trade deadline. First base might be one of the few positions on the roster where they could still use improvement.
The Athletic MLB insider and former general manager Jim Bowden was asked a question on the potential of the team moving for Paul Goldschmidt, the 2022 National League MVP, in a new blog addressing fan inquiries. Bowden could see that a deal was being worked out, but there was a catch.
“I believe it is contingent upon Goldschmidt’s performance up until the trade deadline. I would take it into consideration if he demonstrates over the course of the next few months that he would be an improvement over Rizzo or an improvement in a platoon with him. He remains a dominant first base defender, a leader in the clubhouse, and an all-around winner. September 37-year-old Goldschmidt is a rental who shares Rizzo’s age and decline issues, so I wouldn’t pay too much for him. But it makes sense to add depth to the lineup and guard against more injuries.
Hal Steinbrenner, the chairman of the New York Yankees, asserted last week that the team’s present salary is not “sustainable.” Since this season is the final one on the seven-time All-Star’s $130 million contract, adding the remaining years would not be detrimental to the team in the long run. In the 2024 season, Goldschmidt has had a rather slow start to things.
