About 18 minutes into his introductory Zoom name on Thursday, new Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt casually acknowledged that he’s getting towards the tip of his profession.
Whereas the 37-year-old declined to place a quantity on what number of seasons he has left within the sport, he inked a one-year cope with the Bombers, is getting ready for his fifteenth MLB season, and is coming off the worst yr of his profession with the Cardinals. Whereas he voluntarily famous that the clock is ticking, he didn’t should say so for it to be identified.
Time will inform what the Yankees do at first base long-term, however Goldschmidt can function a veteran stopgap within the meantime as he and the staff hope for a bounce-back from the 2022 Nationwide League MVP. He can be a mentor to one of many Yankees’ future choices, Ben Rice.
A catcher by commerce, Rice spent numerous time studying first base final season earlier than filling in for the injured Anthony Rizzo as a rookie. Whereas the Yankees are nonetheless excessive on Rice’s receiving expertise, they have already got a lefty-swinging backstop in Austin Wells. Sticking at first could possibly be a greater long-term match for Rice and the Yankees, and Goldschmidt may assist him change into higher acquainted with the place after the 25-year-old regarded unfamiliar at instances final season.
“I’ll do whatever I can to help guys,” Goldschmidt, a four-time Gold Glover, stated when requested about Rice. “I had so many great players that helped me when I was a young player, so I’m forever grateful for those guys. They sped up the learning curve. So whether it’s him or any other player.”
A type of guys was Lyle Overbay, who performed for the Diamondbacks as Goldschmidt started his massive league profession with Arizona in 2011. Overbay additionally occurred to play for the Yankees in 2013, a season that noticed first base change into a revolving door for the staff.
As a substitute of combating for enjoying time, the older Overbay grew to become shut with Goldschmidt on the D-backs. Overbay was notably useful on protection, although the 2 additionally talked hitting and life off the sector.
“He was the best teammate you could ever ask for,” Goldschmidt instructed MLB.com in 2014.
Now Goldschmidt has an opportunity to pay it ahead with Rice, although it stays to be seen how current the youthful ballplayer can be as soon as spring coaching wraps. With Goldschmidt locked in at first and Cody Bellinger, Oswaldo Cabrera and DJ LeMahieu able to enjoying the place, Rice may return to the minors till wanted.
Nevertheless, there are different younger Yankees that Goldschmidt can take underneath his wing, very like Rizzo did throughout his tenure with the membership. That group contains Wells, Cabrera, Anthony Volpe and Jasson Domínguez.
“Anything I know about baseball or life, someone else taught me,” the seasoned Goldschmidt stated. “So if there’s any of those experiences I’ve gone through that can help any other players, it’s something I’ll try to do, and I’m excited to do it.”
