The American League champion lost superstar Juan Soto to a new contract from the New York Mets, but the Yankees responded by adding a slew of accomplished veterans across its roster, including Cody Bellinger, Devin Williams and Max Fried.
But one key addition, seven-time All-Star Paul Goldschmidt, has links to yet another highly-decorated veteran who could be joining the Yankees soon.
Goldschmidt most recently played for the St. Louis Cardinals alongside 10-time Gold Glove Award winning third baseman Nolan Arenado, who has been placed firmly on the trade block by the Cardinals and could be a solution to the Yankees’ open questions at the hot corner.
Speaking about his former teammate with The Athletic as rumors swirl, Goldschmidt opened up about what he brings to a team and seemed to lay out a strong case for a Yankees trade to land him in the Bronx.
“He wants to win more than anything,” Goldschmidt said. “It doesn’t matter if the team’s winning and he’s got four hits. He wants to get that fifth hit. He’s such a competitor. He makes the people around him better.”
Goldschmidt praised his former teammate shortly after the latest in Arenado’s trade developments, which saw the Cardinals star address reporters directly as he reported to camp.
“Do I wish the direction was all in?” Arenado asked, per KSDK’s Corey Miller. “Of course.”
It seems increasingly likely that Arenado will open the season with his current team, but a trade to the Yankees might happen anytime before the midseason deadline. The fit makes a lot of sense on paper, particularly with Goldschmidt advocating for his former teammate.
The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner noted that the Yankees’ roster is far from final at this point.
“It sounds like the Yankees’ roster isn’t completely settled yet,” he wrote. “It won’t be a surprise if they acquire a starting-caliber second or third baseman before Opening Day.”
