Inside The Cardinals

Yankees Predicted To Trade Ex-Cardinals Slugger To NL Powerhouse

Could the Yankees look to trade slugger Paul Goldschmidt this season?
Zach Pressnell|
May 23, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; New York Yankees first base Paul Goldschmidt (48) during the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
May 23, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; New York Yankees first base Paul Goldschmidt (48) during the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

In this story:

New York YankeesSt. Louis CardinalsChicago Cubs

The St. Louis Cardinals made a bold decision to let Paul Goldschmidt walk away in free agency a few months ago. Goldschmidt signed with the New York Yankees and has dominated with his new team.

In 60 games, Goldschmidt is slashing .323/.380/.471 with an even crazier slash line against left-handed pitchers. He's been tremendous for the Yankees, but with Giancarlo Stanton returning, the Yankees could be forced to make a tough decision.

Newsweek's Andrew Wright recently predicted the Yankees would trade Goldschmidt to the Chicago Cubs in a move that would haunt the Cardinals.

"The emergence of Ben Rice, however, could force the Yankees to make a near impossible decision when Stanton returns, and that decision would be to trade Paul Goldschmidt to the Chicago Cubs," Wright wrote. "New York won't be able to get Rice, Stanton and Goldschmidt in the same lineup on a regular basis, so it seems that a move of some sort will have to be made. The trade of a player on a one-year deal rather than a young, promising player could be the correct move for the Yankees to make.

"Goldschmidt has gotten off to an excellent start this season, with a .327 average, six home runs and .859 OPS in 220 at-bats. Even more impressive, he has done incredible work against left-handed pitchers, posting a slash line of .520/.613/.900 in 50 at-bats."

The Cardinals made the right decision in letting Goldschmidt walk in free agency, but this is the exact scenario that would haunt them.

Luckily for St. Louis, this idea doesn't make much sense for the Yankees. New York could use him as a bit of a platoon player while he mixes in at first base and designated hitter. Trading him, especially to a powerhouse like the Cubs, doesn't make sense for anybody but the Cubs.

More MLB: Cardinals Writer Sounds Off On 'Foolish' Trade Idea

Published
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

Home/St. Louis Cardinals News