Paul Goldschmidt wants to keep playing and he'd like to do it with the Yankees
Paul Goldschmidt of the New York Yankees works out on the field before ALDS Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 7, 2026. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Yankees offered Paul Goldschmidt a $4 million deal to play one more season in 2026 in what certainly has looked like a Hall of Fame career. He accepted, even though he knew he no longer would be the everyday starter at first base. The organization got a massive return on their investment as he hit 18 home runs and had 52 RBIs in essentially a platoon role.
Goldschmidt was incredibly disappointed after the Yankees lost to Tampa Bay, 4-3, in the Game 3 of their American League Division Series on Wednesday night at the Stadium. But when asked about the notion of reprising the role one more time, he replied, “I'd like to continue playing, so we'll see if that opportunity happens.”
“I’ve absolutely loved my time here — I don't know if there's anyone who loved being a Yankee more than me,” Goldschmidt said. “I love the guys in this clubhouse. I love living here in New York. But you don't really know what the future holds, so I think we'll just see what happens. But I can't say enough great things about this organization and my time here. We'll see what happens.”
Goldschmidt won the 2022 National League MVP award with St. Louis and finished second in MVP voting two other times and third once while with the Diamondbacks. He has 390 home runs, an .877 OPS and four Gold Gloves.
Goldschmidt, who will be 39 next season, played in his first postseason in 2011 when he broke into the majors as Arizona lost to Milwaukee in a National League Division Series. He made the playoffs with the D-backs in 2017 and three times with St. Louis from 2019 to 2021. He’s now made it twice with the Yankees but still has yet to win a World Series, or even reach the American League Championship Series.
“My mindset really hasn't changed: hopefully be able to have a chance to do that again and hopefully win a championship,” he said.
Considered a good influence on the clubhouse and on the younger Yankees in particular, Goldschmidt was asked what his message would be to the players who are beginning to form a nucleus for the years ahead.
“I think you’ve just got to keep working, but not taking this for granted either,” he said. “You don't know if you're going to get the opportunity again. You don't know what our individual careers hold. You don't know what team you'll be playing for the next year . . . and that's what makes this so disappointing.
“But the young guys here did great. They’ve got a great head on their shoulders, very talented physically but also mentally. They know what they're doing, and they've done a great job. Without those guys, we wouldn't be here right now. So the future is bright for them individually, and I think for this organization too.”
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
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