Yankees sign Paul Goldschmidt as new first baseman

The New York Yankees have a new first baseman this season. Paul Goldschmidt, a 37-year-old veteran, was signed to a one-year contract worth $12.5 million. He replaces Anthony Rizzo, who played the position for three seasons. Goldschmidt has been performing well in spring training. He leads the team with three home runs and has 10 hits in 31 at-bats, driving in 10 runs. Most of his hits have been impactful, as six have gone for extra bases. Last season was a mixed bag for Goldschmidt. He struggled in the first half, hitting only .230. However, he improved significantly after the All-Star break, with a .271 average over the last 62 games. His power numbers remained strong, finishing with 33 doubles and 22 home runs. One of the key advantages to signing Goldschmidt is his reliability. He has a track record of playing at least 145 games in most seasons. In contrast, Rizzo missed significant time in his last two seasons. Looking ahead, Goldschmidt is projected to finish the season with a .258 batting average, a .334 on-base percentage, 22 home runs, and 71 RBIs. Given his strong spring and strong finish last season, he may exceed those expectations. If he has a bounce-back year, hitting close to 30 home runs and 90 RBIs is possible.