Inside The Cardinals

Former Cardinals Slugger Continues To Prove Doubters Wrong With Yankees

Paul Goldschmidt is still as scorching hot as ever.
Zach Pressnell|
May 2, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (48) celebrates his three run home run during the fifth inning with right fielder Aaron Judge (99) against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
May 2, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (48) celebrates his three run home run during the fifth inning with right fielder Aaron Judge (99) against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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During the offseason, the St. Louis Cardinals made the decision to let Paul Goldschmidt walk in free agency. At the time, it seemed like a questionable call, but it made quite a bit of sense in hindsight.

The Cardinals were set to use Iván Herrera as their main catcher with Pedro Pagés more than capable as the backup. This allowed starting catcher Willson Contreras to move over to first base so the Cardinals could slot both Herrera and Contreras in the everyday lineup without clogging the designated hitter slot.

Goldschmidt sat in free agency for a bit before signing a deal with the New York Yankees to replace Anthony Rizzo as the team's everyday first baseman. The former Cardinals slugger has done nothing but prove the doubters wrong while with the Bronx Bombers.

On the season, he's slashing a ridiculous .345/.397/.486 with four home runs, eight doubles, and 23 runs scored. He began the year as one of the hottest hitters in baseball and has hardly slowed down through nearly 150 at-bats. In 24 at-bats this month, he's slashing .292/.370/.542 with seven hits, two home runs, and five RBIs.

It's hard to imagine Goldschmidt continuing on this pace for the entire season, but at this point, he doesn't seem to be anywhere near stopping. The Yankees signed him to a one-year deal, likely expecting him to be a solid hitter, but nothing special. They've gotten one of the better hitters in baseball and he's doing an incredible job setting the table for Aaron Judge.

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Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "St. Louis Cardinals On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

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