Yankees could cut ties with Paul Goldschmidt in blockbuster deadline trade

The New York Yankees are off to a 19-16 start as they look to win the American League once again. They have gotten great production from Paul Goldschmidt so far. The team signed him to a one-year, $12.5 million deal after they lost Juan Soto to the New York Mets.

Goldschmidt is having a resurgent year in the Bronx. He is slashing .349/.397/.481 through 34 games. However, the Yankees could soon face a problem with keeping Goldschmidt around. Ben Rice is currently the designated hitter, but when Giancarlo Stanton returns, Rice will need a new place in the lineup. His natural position is at first base. Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller suggested the Yankees could trade Goldschmidt while his value is high and upgrade their roster.

"If Rice is still hot when Giancarlo Stanton returns from his elbow injuries in a month or two, that's when the trade wheels could start to turn here," wrote Miller. "There's not enough room for all three of Goldschmidt, Rice and Stanton to start on a near-daily basis. New York could play it safe and keep all three given Goldy's age, Stanton's injury history and Rice's limited track record of not even 300 plate appearances in the majors. What's more important, though? Injury insurance at 1B/DH or having someone other than Max Fried and Carlos Rodón who can be trusted even a little bit as a starter in October?"

Goldschmidt needs to keep hitting well for the Yankees to be able to get a good arm for him. Rice also needs to keep proving he can stay in the lineup every day and take the first base job. Rice has a .920 OPS so far this season.

Godschmidt, 37, had a .245 batting average last season. He is a former MVP, seven-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger and four-time Gold Glover. However, at his age and with his contract, the Yankees might be wise to flip him for a starting pitcher while his value is high again.

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As things currently stand, Rice needs to be in the lineup every day. When Stanton returns, the only way that is going to happen is if he is playing first base. Trading Goldschmidt is risky, but at the end of the day, he will be a free agent after the year anyway. The move will come down to whether or not the Yankees trust Rice and which version of Stanton the team will be getting.

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