"One washed up player to another"; "A punch to my gut" - Fans disappointed as Paul Goldschmidt ready to take Anthony Rizzo's jersey

The New York Yankees have a new sheriff in town manning first base in the form of Paul Goldschmidt. The former National League MVP agreed to terms on a one-year, $12.5 million deal to join the Bronx Bombers.

The 37-year-old may be nearing the twilight of his career, but he should be an upgrade at first base, where the Yankees struggled in 2024. They had a noticeable lack of productivity last season from players like Anthony Rizzo and DJ LeMahieu; bringing in Goldschmidt, despite his age, should help address that issue.

That being said, it appears Goldschmidt will not only be taking Rizzo's position with the team but also his No. 48 jersey number. The decision has left some fans disappointed, especially those who still hold Rizzo dear to them.

"LITERALLY A PUNCH TO MY GUT" - One fan posted online.

"First the position, & now the number. Damn" - Another fan added.

"This is why the legacy of being a Yankee is nothing. Just threw away Anthony Rizzo like he’s a piece of garbage. Pathetic organization" - One more fan posted.

While some Yankees fans were disappointed, others have taken a shot at the decision to add the former MVP altogether. Some of these fans believe that Goldschmidt will struggle like Rizzo did.

"One washed up player to another" - One fan posted.

"That's gotta be a bad omen" - Another fan shared.

"Lmaoo the jokes write themselves" - One more added.

Paul Goldschmidt outperformed Anthony Rizzo last year

Paul Goldschmidt's age could be a cause for concern among Yankees fans, especially after watching some of their older veterans struggle in the last few years.

That being said, even though Goldschmidt may no longer be a perennial All-Star contender, he has still outperformed Anthony Rizzo and DJ LeMahieu in recent seasons.

Last year with the St. Louis Cardinals, Goldschmidt posted a .245 batting average (across 154 games) with 22 home runs, 65 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. In comparison, Rizzo posted a .228 batting average (across 92 games) with only eight homers in 2024.