Paul Goldschmidt keeps on delivering exactly what Yankees need in post-Juan Soto world

The Yankees were forced to pivot after Juan Soto spurned them for the Mets last winter, and one of those free-agent signings clubbed the big blow in support of another Friday night in The Bronx. 

Paul Goldschmidt carried his sizzling April into May with a three-run homer — his second blast in as many games — to account for all of the support emerging ace Max Fried needed in a sharp 3-0 victory over the Rays at the Stadium. 

Goldschmidt’s two-out blast to right field in the fifth against Tampa lefty Mason Montgomery marked only his third homer of the season overall, but the seven-time All-Star first baseman is now batting .361 — trailing only teammate Aaron Judge’s scorching .430 mark in all of MLB — with 16 RBIs and a .906 OPS in his first 32 games with the Yanks. 

New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (48) hits a three-run home run during the win over the Rays on Friday night. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

“Everyone’s overshadowed by what he does. He’s incredible,” the 37-year-old Goldschmidt said about Judge. “I don’t think anything about [my numbers]. It’s a long season. 

“I’d love to get a hit every time, I’d love to hit for a high average with the most homers and the most wins as we can. But we know there’s gonna be ups and downs.” 

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Goldschmidt’s stats and spirits have remained up since signing a one-year deal worth $12.5 million to don the pinstripes in December. 

His instant production comes after enduring a down 2024 campaign, in which he posted career-worst figures in batting average (.245), on-base percentage (.303) and OPS (.716) with 22 homers and 65 RBIs in 154 games for the Cardinals. 

Paul Goldschmidt rounds the bases on his homer. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

“I’m not trying to feel validated, I’m just trying to play well,” Goldschmidt said. “It’s gonna be a long year, but I think as far as stuff that I changed with my swing, I haven’t really changed anything. I was just creating some bad habits [last year], and it was just trying to get back to some of the basics. 

“So for me, the big part is really not paying too much attention to [my start], and just showing up and putting in the work and being prepared to help us win every day. If I do that, I know the numbers have the best chance to be as high as they can be.” 

A huge part of Goldschmidt’s fast start in The Bronx has been his success against left-handed pitching.

Friday’s homer boosted his numbers against southpaws to 18-for-30 (.600) with an OPS over 1.700. 

“I don’t know if [he] exceeded [expectations],” manager Aaron Boone said. “I know I wanted him here. … I think it’s just his professionalism. But I knew that, and I expected that. 

“I expected a high level of that, and we’ve certainly gotten that. His preparation is his game within the game. His moxie, his situational awareness with things, all the things that you get to see up close and personal, have been really impressive.”