Should Red Sox Sign Ex-Yankees Slugger, Former MVP?

Will Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow’s search for a power bat have him poaching a castoff from the New York Yankees?

After all, the Yankees’ lineup last season featured a former MVP winner who’s now a free agent.

And no, we’re not talking about Cody Bellinger.

Here’s a name to ponder: Paul Goldschmidt.

Hear me out.

The 38-year-old Goldschmidt is a seven-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger Award winner and four-time Gold Glove Award recipient.

He has been a top-10 MVP candidate six times, including 2022, when he won the National League MVP after leading the Senior Circuit in slugging percentage (.578) and OPS (.981).

A 15-year MLB veteran, Goldschmidt has hit at least 20 home runs in 11 seasons.

But wait, you say. What about last year?

Well, yes, 2025 was a down year for the slugger. He hit just 10 home runs in 146 games and lost his spot in the lineup to an emerging Ben Rice.

And yes, Goldschmidt posted a career-low .403 slugging percentage this past season.

But his power drain actually works in the Red Sox’s favor. Boston can buy low on Goldschmidt and take a chance he rediscovers his power stroke.

If nothing else, the right-handed hitting Goldschmidt could platoon at first base with lefty-swinging Triston Casas.

“He’s not the star he once was, but if you’re looking for a one-year fill-in at first base (where he has won four Gold Gloves), particularly if you’re a team that may have missed out on Pete Alonso, you can do a lot worse than Goldschmidt,” MLB.com’s Will Leitch notes.

Look, Alonso and Kyle Schwarber were ideal free-agent targets for Breslow. Either one would have been a significant upgrade for the Red Sox lineup.

But both would have required a five-year commitment at $30 million per season.

Goldschmidt will cost a fraction of that. Give him a one-year contract loaded with incentives and see if he can regain his MVP form.

If he does, well, it will be the steal of the century.

If he doesn’t, it won’t mean a ton of wasted money.

Breslow can still chase Ketel Marte, Eugenio Suarez or whatever other big bat is available on the free-agent and trade markets.

Goldschmidt isn’t the answer to all of Boston’s problems.

But just imagine how sweet it would feel if Goldschmidt plays again like an All-Star, knowing the Red Sox poached a castoff from the Yankees.