A bounce-back season from the right-swinging Goldschmidt, as well as the left-handed Bellinger, coupled with the additions to the pitching staff of lefty Max Fried and closer Devin Williams, would go a long way in getting the Yankees back to the top of the American League.

Time will tell what the Yankees do at first base long-term, but Goldschmidt can serve as a veteran stopgap in the meantime as he and the team hope for a bounce-back from the 2022 National League MVP. He can also be a mentor to one of the Yankees’ future options, Ben Rice.

Paul Goldschmidt went through a miserable first four months last year, including a career-worst 0-for-32 slide that ended with a May 11 ninth-inning single to avoid his first five-strikeout game.