TORONTO — Where would the New York Yankees be without Paul Goldschmidt this season? That is not a question anyone could have reasonably expected to ask themselves in the middle of June, but it’s a valid one.The 38-year-old is in the middle of a career renaissance. He has an .889 OPS and a 146 wRC+, the best numbers he has posted since his 2022 National League MVP season. Saturday, he delivered the most improbable moment of his season.With the score tied at 1 in the top of the ninth, Goldschmidt stepped to the plate with Cody Bellinger on first base. On the mound was Toronto Blue Jays closer Louis Varland, the American League’s best reliever this season. Entering Saturday’s game, Varland had allowed just two runs and zero home runs all season.That changed when Goldschmidt deposited a hanging knuckle-curve over the left-field wall for a two-run home run. That was enough for the Yankees to beat the Blue Jays 3-1.
Go-Ahead Goldy 🙌 pic.twitter.com/7fhWCAmgVM
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 13, 2026“I kind of joked in my head before that at-bat that he hasn’t given up a run in forever,” Goldschmidt said. “Maybe (Saturday) will be the day.”The Yankees re-signed Goldschmidt to a one-year, $4 million contract in the offseason. It was a move that was not popular with the fan base. The club had said it wanted Ben Rice to become an everyday player, and bringing Goldschmidt back possibly meant the Yankees had gone back on their word. Goldschmidt also does not provide any versatility as a first baseman.
