Yankees Could Land Projected $15 Million Cardinals Free Agent To Bolster Lineup

The St. Louis fan favorite could be a fit for the Bronx Bombers

Oct 5, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; A general view of the New York Yankees field before the game against Kansas City Royals during game one of the ALDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The St. Louis Cardinals have lost their way and are no longer considered perennial contenders after years of neglecting player development and a series of short-sighted deals.

Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. has financially restrained his baseball boss, John Mozeliak. Investing money in the big-league roster became the priority -- diverging from the Cardinal Way, which included building a robust farm system.

After failing to build a World Series-caliber roster over the past decade, the Cardinals must pivot to rebuild. This means parting ways with a fan favorite, who has been linked to the New York Yankees as a potential landing spot this offseason.

St. Louis first baseman Paul Goldschmidt was named to the Yankees' starting lineup for 2025 based on a recent prediction by Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter on Thursday. In Reuter's projection, the Cardinals slugger was placed between 2022 American League MVP Aaron Judge and five-time All-Star Giancarlo Stanton in the cleanup spot.

After the Yankees declined four-time Gold Glove defender Anthony Rizzo's $17 million club option for 2025, they're left without an established first baseman.

Goldschmidt is a free agent for the first time in his illustrious 14-year career and carries a projected market value of roughly $15 million, according to MLB Trade Rumors.

After enduring the worst season of his career at the plate this season, Goldschmidt should be hopeful the Yankees offer him a contract, considering they have one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in baseball.

It's possible the five-time Silver Slugger needs a change of scenery to revive his career and having the opportunity to frequently hit at Yankee Stadium could help him achieve that goal.

More MLB: Cardinals Predicted To Dump $74 Million Slugger In Blockbuster With Blue Jays