Latest Paul Goldschmidt update could result in nightmare for Guardians fans

We’ve reached the point in the MLB calendar where everyone gets jumpy. Teams are ready for the spring to get here, while players under contract are ready to start working toward a successful regular season. 

But that sentiment is also shared by the numerous players lingering in free agency who are stuck in a seemingly never-ending staring contest before the start of spring training. 

One of those free agents is first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who was the National League MVP in 2022 but has fallen off a cliff over the past two seasons as Father Time has caught up with him. 

While that steep aging curve led to some thinking that he was planning on retiring, Goldschmidt told MLB insider Jon Heyman last fall that he was interested in playing again in 2026. 

And earlier this week YES Network’s Jack Curry added some fuel to that fire by reporting that the Yankees have had some “internal discussions” about bringing Goldschmidt back after having him on their roster last season, which makes it seem like the 38-year-old is set on playing in 2026.

Normally an update about the Yankees considering bringing back a player wouldn’t register for Guardians fans, but it’s not hard to imagine the Guardians also being interested in bringing Goldschmidt into the fold. 

Signing Goldschmidt this late in the free agent would be the ultimate “Guardians” move, especially given the lack of MLB additions they’ve made so far this offseason. 

Signing Paul Goldschmidt wouldn't fix the Guardians' offensive problems

While Goldschmidt has a borderline Hall of Fame résumé, he wouldn’t be a good fit on the Guardians for 2026, especially considering it would be the second straight year the Guardians added an aging first baseman into the mix after their disastrous signing of Carlos Santana last offseason. 

Signing Santana last offseason at least made some sense considering Kyle Manzardo didn’t have a ton of experience under his belt, but now Manzardo is coming off a 27-homer season and has earned the right to be an everyday player. 

Adding the right-handed hitting Goldschmidt would demote Manzardo to a platoon option while limiting the flexibility on the Guardians’ roster. It would be a lose-lose. 

Last season Goldschmidt hit .274 with 10 home runs and 45 RBI in 146 games, marking the lowest production he’s had in a full-162 game season. And it did it while making $12.5 million, which would’ve made him the second-highest paid Guardian behind José Ramírez.

While he started the season strong with a .328 batting average through May, he bottomed out with a .143 batting average in June and never recovered. He also adjusted his game to a more-contact-heavy approach, which would make him a bit redundant in the Guardians’ lineup.

Even if all signs point toward Goldschmidt needing to sign a contract less than the $12.5 million pact he inked last year, he still wouldn’t be worth it for the Guardians. 

While the Guardians’ lack of offensive additions has been maddening, adding Goldschmidt would be a step in the wrong direction.