"Paul Goldschmidt is gonna be better than Anthony Rizzo" - Sportscaster predicts bright future for Yankees' $12,500,000 acquisition at first base

The New York Yankees have signed former National League MVP Paul Goldschmidt on a one-year, $12.5 million deal after releasing first baseman Anthony Rizzo at the start of the offseason.

MLB sportscaster Michael Kay expects Paul Goldschmidt to be an upgrade over Anthony Rizzo, based on the performance of the two players this year. He pointed out that Goldschmidt was a more productive hitter than Rizzo despite having his worst season in the big leagues. Kay also said that Goldschmidt is still reliable with his glove, while Rizzo regressed as a defender over the past 12 months.

Kay, the play-by-play announcer for the New York Yankees television broadcast on YES Network, offered his thoughts on Monday on the Yankees acquiring Paul Goldschmidt as a replacement for Anthony Rizzo.

"If this guy gives them what he gave last year, which is about an average year, because, in the second half, he was much better, I think they've taken a big jump offensively," he said. "And I think that Anthony Rizzo took a step back defensively, although I think Goldschmidt was even, (with) zero defensive runs saved. In terms of defense, he's going to be better than Rizzo.

"It's Christmas for GM's when they can sign one-year deals," he added. "It's not a big commitment, and if he doesn't have it, they can pivot. They've got (D.J.) LeMahieu; they've got (Ben) Rice. They've got guys they can go to."

The Yankees had bought out the one-year player option on Rizzo for $6 million before signing Goldschmidt as his replacement.

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"He's going to be reinvigorated": Michael Kay expects Paul Goldschmidt to rejuvenate his career with Yankees

Paul Goldschmidt had the worst season of his career in 2024 (Image Source: Imagn)

The offensive production from Paul Goldschmidt has declined steadily in the two years since he won the National League MVP with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2022, as they missed out on the playoffs on both occasions.

He had the worst campaign of his career this year following a slow start to the season, although he ended his time with the Cardinals on a strong note. Kay feels the seven-time All-Star first baseman still has got plenty left in his tank.

"If you look at the second half [of the 2024 season], then you can't really say he's on the downside," he said. "When you have an OPS of .799, boy, the Yankees would sign up for that the entire year. I also think he's going to be reinvigorated.

"The situation in St. Louis had really gone downhill," Michael Kay added. "They weren't really winning. They weren't looking like they were going to win. They knew they were going to break the team down. And for a guy like this, who's been a great player his whole career, maybe he got caught up in it, although he did play through it in the second half."

Goldschmidt hit .245/.302/.414 in his final year with the Cardinals, getting 56 extra-base hits, including 22 home runs.