Paul Goldschmidt's Yankees Contract: A Deep Dive into the Unlikely Scenario
While the idea of Paul Goldschmidt donning pinstripes has captivated some baseball fans, it currently remains a highly improbable scenario. This article explores the feasibility of such a contract, analyzing Goldschmidt's current situation with the St. Louis Cardinals, the New York Yankees' roster needs, and the potential financial hurdles.
Why Goldschmidt to the Yankees is Unlikely (For Now)
Several factors heavily weigh against Goldschmidt signing with the Yankees:
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Goldschmidt's Existing Contract: Goldschmidt is currently under contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, a team he's been integral to for several years. He's a key part of their core, and a move would require a significant trade, a buyout (highly unlikely given his performance), or waiting until his contract expires. Trading him away would be a drastic move for the Cardinals.
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Yankees' Internal Options: The Yankees boast a strong first base situation with Anthony Rizzo currently manning the position. While Rizzo's contract status is something to monitor, the Yankees are more likely to focus their resources on bolstering other areas of their roster than paying a premium for a first baseman. Signing Goldschmidt would be redundant and financially unsustainable.
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Financial Considerations: Even if Goldschmidt were to become a free agent, his age and continued high performance would command a substantial contract. The Yankees, while possessing a large payroll, already have numerous high-salary players, making it difficult to justify allocating significant funds to another veteran player at a position they're already relatively strong in.
What Would Need to Happen for a Goldschmidt-Yankees Union?
For this seemingly outlandish scenario to materialize, a number of events would need to align perfectly:
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Rizzo's Departure: The most likely trigger for the Yankees to pursue Goldschmidt would be the departure of Anthony Rizzo through free agency. Even then, the Yankees might opt for a younger, more budget-friendly option.
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Cardinals' Rebuild: An unlikely, but possible scenario, would be a significant rebuild by the Cardinals. If the team were to enter a rebuilding phase, trading Goldschmidt to acquire young prospects might become a more feasible option.
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Unexpected Financial Flexibility: Some unforeseen circumstances, such as player trades that free up significant salary cap space, would be needed to make the Yankees pursue a player like Goldschmidt.
Alternative Scenarios and More Realistic Targets:
While a Goldschmidt signing is highly unlikely, the Yankees could pursue other first base options:
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Free Agent Market: Depending on the free agent market, more affordable, younger options might be explored.
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Trades: Acquiring a younger, more affordable first baseman via trade remains a possibility.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the prospect of Paul Goldschmidt joining the New York Yankees is highly improbable in the foreseeable future. While the allure of a Goldschmidt-Yankees pairing is intriguing for fans, the current circumstances and the team's existing roster construction make it an extremely unlikely scenario. The Yankees are more likely to focus on other areas of their roster and prioritize internal development before making such a significant investment in a position they already have addressed.