The New York Yankees have reportedly shown increasing interest in free agent first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Sources including John Denton, Mark Feinsand, and Bryan Hoch from MLB.com indicate that the Yankees' pursuit of the veteran first baseman has intensified, particularly following the signing of Christian Walker with the Houston Astros.

The report also suggests that Goldschmidt's addition could influence former teammate Nolan Arenado in waiving his no-trade clause should New York seek to negotiate a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals for the 10-time Gold Glove winner. Earlier this offseason, the Yankees allegedly reached out to the Cardinals regarding Arenado, but were met with resistance due to St. Louis's reluctance to shoulder the contract of veteran right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman. This potential combination of Goldschmidt and Arenado would be a notable improvement for the Yankees, especially after the team lost Juan Soto to the New York Mets during free agency.

At 37 years old, Goldschmidt had a 2024 season in which he batted .245 with 22 home runs, 65 runs batted in, and a .716 on-base plus slugging percentage. While he may no longer be considered one of baseball's elite hitters, his presence could still serve as a valuable minor upgrade at first base for New York. Goldschmidt is expected to make a decision on his next team soon, with the Yankees among several interested parties, including the Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, Washington Nationals, and New York Mets. The report mentions Goldschmidt's strong second half of the 2024 season and his solid overall résumé as significant positives, though his desire for a multi-year deal may present challenges in negotiations.