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Yankees could DFA Paul Goldschmidt

The New York Yankees could look to move on from veteran Paul Goldschmidt.

New York brought back Goldschmidt on a one-year, $4 million contract, but the former NL MVP has struggled. With Ben Rice playing well, the Yankees could look to make him their everyday first baseman.

So, Yankees insider Chris Kirschner of The Athletic believes the team could DFA Goldschmidt or Randal Grichuk once Giancarlo Stanton and Anthony Volpe return.

“If the Yankees keep Domínguez on the roster, that leaves three realistic options for them to consider: demote J.C. Escarra to the minors or designate veterans Randal Grichuk or Paul Goldschmidt for assignment,” Kirschner wrote. “Demoting Escarra, the backup catcher, seems unlikely. Ben Rice, who hit his 10th home run of the season on Monday, is the team’s third catcher and has yet to appear behind the plate.

“With how valuable Rice is offensively, the Yankees will want to keep him as fresh as possible, increasing the likelihood of keeping Escarra. That leaves designating Grichuk or Goldschmidt if the Yankees want to keep Domínguez in the majors. With Rice’s emergence and his viability against left-handed pitching, Goldschmidt’s value to the roster has taken a hit. But the Yankees are paying him $4 million this season — and even though he’s batting .179, his underlying metrics suggest there’s still juice left in his bat.”

Goldschmidt has struggled as he’s hitting .179 with 1 home run and 4 RBIs as he has struggled to make an impact this season. The 38-year-old is a former NL MVP, seven-time MLB All-Star, and five-time Silver Slugger Award winner.

Yankees Having Hard Time Finding Goldschmidt ABs

New York brought back Goldschmidt this offseason, despite many fans hoping Rice would be the everyday first baseman.

However, as Aaron Boone is giving Rice more playing time, he admitted it’s been hard to find Goldschmidt at-bats.

“Benny’s earned more and more opportunities, and I think he’s done a great job against left-handed pitching,” Boone said. “And obviously what he’s become and the presence he is. It has been more challenging (to find Goldschmidt time).”

Although Goldschmidt hasn’t been playing a ton, Boone said the former NL MVP is handling the situation great. The veteran has been a leader in the clubhouse, as he knew coming back, his job was to help Rice get ready to be an everyday first baseman.

Goldschmidt is a four-time Gold Glove Award winner.

Stanton’s Injury Isn’t Serious

New York placed Stanton on the injured list, but luckily, the injury isn’t too serious.

The hope for the Yankees is that he will be able to be back after 10 days and return to being the team’s DH.

“It doesn’t look too serious, but enough to not want to wait a couple more days,” Boone said. “We’ll see what we have as the week unfolds.”

The Yankees could also get Volpe back before Stanton’s time on the IL is over, so New York is getting close to being back in full health.

Stanton is hitting .256 with 3 home runs and 14 RBIs in 90 at-bats.

New York is off to a 19-10 start and atop the AL East.