The New York Yankees bounced back from missing the playoffs in 2023 to win the American League East and reach the World Series in 2024.
After an overall successful season, the Yankees lost one of their best players this offseason as free agent Juan Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets.
While the Yankees were unable to bring Soto back, they did add several other key pieces to their roster, including starting pitcher Max Fried, relief pitcher Devin Williams and outfielder Cody Bellinger.
Even after the Yankees acquired these three pieces, they are reportedly targeting two other free agents who could fill a need at first base.
“Yankees focused on Paul Goldschmidt and Carlos Santana,” Bob Nightingale of USA Today reports via the B/R Walk-Off .
The Yankees are focused on Paul Goldschmidt and Carlos Santana @BNightengale: pic.twitter.com/b6T1umDAaN
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) December 20, 2024
The Yankees are reportedly going to pursue some of the less expensive options at first base, and these two veterans could be a good fit.
Goldschmidt is 37 years old and entered the majors in 2011 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and has played 14 MLB seasons.
With the St. Louis Cardinals in 2024, Goldschmidt played 154 games and batted .245 with 22 home runs, 65 RBI and a .716 OPS.
Santana is 38 years old and entered the majors in 2010 with the Cleveland Guardians and has played 15 seasons in the MLB.
With the Minnesota Twins in 2024, Santana played 150 games and batted .238 with 23 home runs, 71 RBI and a .749 OPS.
These are two names to watch as the Yankees look for their first baseman in 2025.
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