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The New York Yankees are not pretending in 2026. They have a plan at first base—and Paul Goldschmidt understands exactly where he fits into it.
According to reporting from The Athletic, Goldschmidt isn’t clinging to everyday at-bats or fighting Father Time. He’s embracing something different: mentor, part-time weapon against lefties, and late-inning defensive stabilizer. More importantly, he knows this season is about helping Ben Rice become the Yankees’ long-term answer at first base.
A year ago, Goldschmidt signed a $12.5 million deal to be the full-time first baseman. Now, at 38, he’s back on a one-year, $4 million deal with a different assignment. Rice, who turns 27 this season, is expected to get the majority of reps at first. The message from the organization is clear: this is Rice’s position to seize.
And Goldschmidt is fine with that.
Paying It Forward in Pinstripes
Goldschmidt remembers being raw at first base early in his career. He wasn’t always the four-time Gold Glove that fans came to know. Veterans like Lyle Overbay, Xavier Nady, and Eric Hinske helped him learn the nuances of footwork, positioning, and pre-pitch reads—the invisible details that separate average from elite.
Now, he sees himself in Rice.
Rice reportedly told Goldschmidt last year not to hold back on advice—even if it seemed simple. That openness has unlocked what could become one of the Yankees’ most important internal developments of 2026.
Rice already proved the bat plays. He hit .255 with 26 home runs and an .836 OPS in 138 games last season. But defensively? He remains a work in progress. FanGraphs graded him at minus-2 Defensive Runs Saved at first base. One scout described him bluntly as “plodding.”
That’s where Goldschmidt comes in.
He’s not just teaching mechanics. He’s teaching instincts. Where to cheat on a certain hitter. How to read infield hops. When to anticipate a throw from an off-balance shortstop. These aren’t things you master in batting practice. They come from repetition and guidance.
The Yankees are betting Rice can become “really good, if not great” defensively—Goldschmidt’s own words—and they’re giving him the runway to do it.
A Veteran’s Value Beyond the Box Score
This version of Goldschmidt may no longer carry a lineup over six months. After a scorching start in 2025, his production dipped sharply in the second half. But his value in 2026 isn’t tied solely to OPS.
It’s tied to October.
The Yankees reached the World Series in 2024 before falling to the Dodgers. They know championship windows can close quickly. Sound defense at first base—especially in tight postseason games—often determines outcomes.
Goldschmidt offers insurance. If Rice struggles defensively in a high-leverage spot, manager Aaron Boone has a four-time Gold Glove winner ready. If the Yankees face a tough left-hander late in a playoff game, Goldschmidt becomes a calculated matchup.
But the larger vision is developmental.
Rice, a former catcher drafted out of Dartmouth in 2021, is still learning the position full-time. The Yankees told him to prioritize first base all offseason. That’s organizational commitment. Goldschmidt’s presence ensures that commitment doesn’t come without guidance.
And that’s the difference between a placeholder veteran and a strategic one.
In 2026, Paul Goldschmidt isn’t fighting to reclaim his job. He’s shaping the next one.
Alvin Garcia Born in Puerto Rico, Alvin Garcia is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on MLB. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, covering mostly baseball. More about Alvin Garcia
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