There are no doubts about what Paul Goldschmidt brings to Yankees

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees from spring training TAMPA — The belief from his current and former clubhouses is consistent: Paul Goldschmidt, the player and the person, is going to help the Yankees. A spring matchup with the Cardinals provided a reunion-type atmosphere for the new Yankees first baseman, who spent six mostly excellent seasons in St.Louis.

He did not return for a seventh season because his contract expired, the Cardinals had announced a rebuild, and he had tailed off in what was his age-36, 2024 season. So he fell to the Yankees on a one-year, $12.5 million deal, bringing with him a potential Hall of Fame pedigree and concerns about how much he still could offer a team. The answer, according to several who know Goldschmidt well: a lot. “He’s going to have a big year,” said longtime teammate and friend Nolan Arenado.“I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes out and plays really well.” Last season, Goldschmidt looked washed up during a first half that finished with a .664 OPS.

He bounced back with a strong second half (.799 OPS), which encouraged the Yankees to add him to their post-Juan Soto splurge. Goldschmidt’s solid glove at first will contribute regardless, but his former manager believes his bat has plenty more to offer. “There’s always going to be the thought when someone is getting into that age range of: ‘Man, they don’t have a whole lot left in the tank,’ ” Oliver Marmol said before a 7-0 Yankees win at Steinbrenner Field.“I don’t think that fits Goldy at all — a guy that takes care of his body better than anybody I’ve been around.

But he’s also very in tune with mechanically when he feels good, and when he does not.” Goldschmidt was not feeling mechanically sound during last year’s first half, Marmol said, and he found the fix over the final few months of the season.The problem, he ...