Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt: I Still Think I Can Play at a 'Really, Really High Level'

Paul Goldschmidt believes the Bronx can bring out the best of his abilities.

The newly-signed New York Yankees first baseman spoke about his new opportunity and said that he believes he "can still play at a high level" after some struggles in 2024.

"I want to play at a high level. … The feeling was like, 'Man, I'm better than this,'" Goldschmidt said, per Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. "That was my feeling last year, but you've got to go out and prove it. If you don't perform, you're not going to be playing, and I think that's the truth in this game and in life and that's something we've all dealt with really our whole lives."

Goldschmidt spent the 2024 season with the St. Louis Cardinals and hit .245/.302/.414 with 22 home runs and 65 RBIs. While this was solid production, it wasn't up to the 37-year-old's previous standard, which includes seven All-Star selections and an MVP award.

He signed a one-year. $12.5 million deal with the Yankees this offseason and will venture to the American League for the first time in his 14-season career.

Goldschmidt joins a Yankee team that had struggles at the first base position when Anthony Rizzo missed time in 2024. He will provide a solid presence at the position and look to help a Yankees team get back to the World Series in 2025.